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JOURNAL
CflmkiDn Irrltfalngiral Issoriatinn.
VOL. III. FIFTH SERIES.
LONDON:
PICKERING AND CHATTO, 66, HAYMARKET, S.W.
1886, .
LIBRARY
innVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
«
LOXDOV :
WHITIKO AVD CO., 30 AND 32, BABDIITIA 8TBIET, W.C.
CONTENTS.
Notes oa the History of Monmouthshire . F. J. Mitchell « 1
Monmouth . . . W. Bagnal-Oakelej 12
Carew Castle . . . J. R. Cobb . . 27
St. Thomas, 07er-Monnow . . P. Potter . 41
On the Gurmarc Stone, St. David's . I. O. Westvvood 43
Effigy in Bangor Cathedral 52
Notes on the Older Churches in the Four
Welsh Dioceses {cordiniied). The late SirS. R. Glynne, Bart. 55
Sudbrook Camp , . . A. E. Lawson Lowe 81
Architectural Notes upon Usk Church,
Monmouthshire . . S. W. Williams 90
Early Inscribed Stones. — The Abercar
Stone . . . C. Wilkins and J. Rhys 1»3
Pembrokeshire Raths . . E. Laws . . 97
Tredegar House, Monmouthshire . C. 0. S. Morgan 100
Origin of the Name Tredegar . . Octavios Morgan 102
Carved Powder-Flask of Stag's Horn
found near Hay . . . D. R. T. . . 106
Merionethshire Six Hundred Years Ago . D. R. T. . 108
Unrestored Churches . . . G. E. Robinson . 121
Celtic Remains in Vend6me . The late R. Perrott 128
Ecclesiastical Appointments, Patent Rolls,
Charles II . . . . . . 139
The Trial of Lord Ferrers . . ... 145
Caerphilly . . . . R. W. B. . . 161
The Portionary Churches of Mediaeval
North Wales: their Tribal Relations,
and the Sinecurism connected there-
with . . . . . A. N. Palmer . 175
IV CONTENTS.
Celtic Remains in Yendome (continued) The late B. Perrott 210
Roman Coins found in Monmouthshire :
1. Caerleon and Caerwent . M. Bagnal-Oakelej 224
Ecclesiastical Appointments, Patent Rolls,
Charles II (continued) . . . ... 228
Tintem Abbey . . . T. BlashiU, F.RI.B.A. 241
Rhiwaedog, Ynys y Maen Gwyn, Dolau
Gwyn, and Nannau . . . H. W. Lloyd - 253
Notes on the Older Churches in the Four
Welsh Dioceses (continued). The late Sir S. R. Gljnne, Bart. 270
On a Mutilated Wooden Image of the
Crucifix found in the Church of Kemeys
Inferior, Monmouthshire ; and on other
Wooden Images, or Portions of such,
still existing in this Country . . M. H. Bloxam . 282
Glamorganshire Documents . .... 292
Swansea Castle • . . R. Capper, F.R.G.S. 302
Ecclesiastical Appointments, Patent Rolls,
Charles II (concluded) . . , . . . 308
Report of Annual Meeting at Swansea . .321
Subscribers to Local Fund and Statement of Accounts . 346
Local Museum Catalogue . . . , . 348
Index . . . . . . . 351
Illustrations, List of . . . . . . 354
Obituary ....... 150
coebespondence ..... 70, 234
Miscellaneous Notices .... 235, 315
Reviews . . . . . " . 152
^.nHtaU^h €nmhvtmis.
FIFTH SERIES.— VOL. Ill, NO, IX.
JANUARY 1886.
NOTES
ON
THE HISTORY OF MONMOUTHSHIRE.
MoKMOUTHSHiRE is the border-land between Wales and
England. Some years ago there was a very hot feud
in the county as to whetner it ought to be considered
Welsh or English ; but it is now generally considered
to have been the marches all through the middle ages,
the neutral ground, or the battlefield, as the case might
be. Anciently Welsh, and the abode of the tribe of
the Silures, it was conquered by the Romans, and again
by the Normans ; and though its language and its local
names were Welsh, it became legally English in the
reign of Henry VIII. In the reign of Charles II it
was included in the Oxford circuit ; and the Lord
Marcher 8 Court, which was held at Ludlow in Shrop-
shire, was finally got rid of in the reign of William III,
on the petition of the Welsh people. The Welsh lan-
guage continued to be spoken until recent times, for
we read of an English stranger being buried in Mon-
mouth in the time of Queen Elizabeth ; and in Charles Is
time, Captain Dabridgecourt, who was quartered at
St. Pierre in 1644, and ordered to make levies for the
King, • speaks in no very complimentary terms of the
slowness of the Welsh to respond to the call ; and writ-
ing to Prince Rupert, he professes his readiness to obey
6th sir., vol. hi. 1
2 NOTES ON THE HISTORY
the King's mandate to go to Jew, Turk, or Gentile ;
but from the Welsh, he says, ** Good Lord, deliver us !"
At the time of the second Roman invasion of Britain,
Ostorius Scapula, one of the commanders of the Empe-
ror Claudius, attempted to expel the Silures ; but the
tribe, protected by their hills and mountains, gained
the victory, and compelled him to retire, and shortly
afterwards he died of the fatigues of the campaign. In
the reign of Vespasian, however, their conquest was
effected by Julius Frontinus, and the country became a
part of Britannia Secunda, — a term given to the con-
quered land west of the Severn. It is well known how
thoroughly the Roman settlement was effected, and
how for several hundred years they occupied a position
here somewhat analogous to our own at present in
India. Their principal stations in this county were
6ve in number, — Venta Silurum, now Caerwent ; Isca
Silurum, now Caerleon ; Gobannium, now Abergavenny;
Blestiura, considered to be Monmouth ; and Burrium,
thought to be Usk. Two main Roman roads led
through the county, — the Via Julia, from the mouth
of the Severn to Caerwent, Caerleon, and also towards
Neath ; and the Akeman Street, from Caerwent, across
the Wye and Severn, to Cirencester. The Via Julia
can still be traced, and is called in Welsh Sarii-hir (the
long, paved causeway). It is said that there are traces
of six British and Roman encampments ; one, very in-
teresting and perfect, is to be seen on Twmbarlwm,
and is well worth a visit from any one who does not
object to climbing a stiff hill.
Caerleon was the capital of Britannia Secunda, and
it is curious that during the whole of its occupation by
the Romans not a trace of its history exists beyond a
dim tradition of the martyrdom of Julius and Aaron
during the persecution of Diocletian in the fourth cen-
tury.
After the Romans left the country but little or no-
thing is certainly known of the events which occurred ;
but in the days of Kfng Alfred the Kings of Gwent
OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. 3
and Glamorgan placed themselves under his protection,
and did homage to the Saxon rulers down to the Nor-
man Conquest. In 892, or the following year, the
Danes plundered the town, and ravaged the whole
country. King Edgar, the great Saxon monarch, three
times visited Uaerleon on local matters and disputes
between the Princes. In 976 the Danes destroyed the
city of Caerleon utterly, and ravaged the whole country
round. The Saxon fleet is twice mentioned as having
appeared before Caerleon. The ships of those days
were small, and the river is a tidal one, so this may
have happened ; but in very early times Newport be-
came the seaport of Caerleon ; and if the old chronicles
mav be trusted, very stirring events arose out of the
rignts and privileges thereto pertaining.
It may not be generally known that the church of
St. WooUos, at Newport, is supposed to have been the
cause of the defeat of Hastings. An extract from the
Life of St. Gwynlly w, or WooTlos, is interesting if only
as showing that the British chroniclers took a very
different view of the character of Harold from that held
by Mr. Freeman, the historian of the Norman Con-
quest. It is as follows : —
" In the time of Grifiith, the valiant King of all
Wales, Edward being King of England, merchants fre-
quently came from England, and exchanged merchan-
dise in the harbour at the mouth of the river Usk.
After the business was accomplished they paid toll ; for
if they did not pay the accustomed tribute they were
not to have any more leave to come and traffic in the
harbour. It happened that at one time they would
not pay. This having been heard, Rigrit, son of Imor,
and grandson of King Griffith, went to the harbour in
a rage, and, full of indignation, ordered the debt to be
paid ; but they, although commanded, would not pay
it. Afterwards, for the disgrace of the Englishmen,
and in derision of their kingdom, he cut the rope of the
anchor, and caused the loose anchor to be carried to
the church of St. Gwynlly w. The sailors, returning to
4 NOTES ON THE HISTORY
the merchants, related to Earl Harold the disgrace and
derision wherewith thev were treated. The malevolent
Earl being moved with great anger, and desirous to
revenge, collected an army, which being gathered toge-
ther, he rushed upon Glamorgan, being hostilely dis-
posed to bum and lay waste all the country. This
commotion having been heard, the inhabitants brought
their goods to the refuge of the saints. These being
taken, they fled and hid themselves in the woods.
Afterwards an army came and burnt and ravaged,
sparing no one, but taking away whatsoever it found.
In the meantime, the lock being broken, some of the
robbers entered the church of the venerable Gwynlljrw,
which was full of garments, provisions, and many valu-
able things. These being seen, like most greedy wolves
they stole everything they saw in the church. The
anchor aforesaid, which was the cause of the robbery
and plundering, was, however, not seen by any one, but
was, notwithstanding, in an inner corner of the church.
The cheeses were divided by the robbers. When cut,
they appeared bloody in the inside. The whole army
was amazed, and with ready hands restored everything
that they had stolen. Besides, Earl Harold being
pricked among the first witli painful compunction,
offered on the altar on behalf of his soldiers. Then he
returned, and dreading greater punishment, promised
that he would never violate the refuge of the venerable
temple. Soon after, in the following month, for that
wickedness and other crimes, he was conquered in the
battle of Hastings by King William, and slain.''
This country was well known to Harold, for he had
a hunting palace at Portskewet, near Chepstow, which
is said to have been destroyed by Caradoc ap GriflSth,
in revenge for Harold not having helped him to re-
cover the principality of South Wales. Mr. Freeman,
in his History of the Norman Conquest, says that
Harold's mother, and sister and niece, fled from Exe-
ter after the siege of that city, and took refuge on
the Flatholm in the Bristol Channel. The church-
OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. 5
yard of St. WooUos was again the camping-ground of
a boisterous army in the reign of William, who sent
his son William Rufus to burn and harry Glamorgan,
in revenge for the refuge afforded by Caradoc, king of
that country, to some mutinous Norman knights. At
this time, when Glamorgan is mentioned, Gwent is
included, for there appears to have been no separate
country of Gwent as a whole, but it was all broken up
into small lordships. The event is thus related : —
" William, being enraged and angry, and excited with
indignation, sent his son William Rufus, a brave young
man and warlike, with immense force and armed
soldiers to Glamorgan, which was laid waste and burnt,
and deprived of money. The army being, therefore,
fatigued on their return, rested a certain night in fixed
tents about the church of the most blessed Gwynlly w,
the town being empty of men, who had fled to the
woods for safety from their enemies. The houses were
full of divers kinds of com, whence they fared abun-
dantly ; but the reverse was in the horse pastures, for
there was not there any pasture, but odious famine.
No horse would taste the oats, and Almighty God
would not open the closed houses. Holy Gwynlly w
prayed, whom the Deity heard. This miracle having
been seen, William Consul among the first, offered
valuable gifts to God and the church, asking mercy
and pardon for demolishing the houses. The whole
army subsequently kneeled before the altar, offering
with penitence and fear, and promising that they would
not any more violate the land of St. Gwynllyw, and
that such things as they had before done, they would
never do again.''
It is to be observed that in these old records there
is much more sympathy with the Normans than with
the Saxons. Perhaps the Britons were secretly glad
of the reverses which had happened to their old
enemies the Saxons ; perhaps these monkish tales have
been touched up and recast by later monks who loved
the Norman rule. Whether the natives of this country
NOTES ON THE HISTORY
preferred the Norraan suzerainty to the Saxon or not,
it seems to have been thought necessary to guard the
land by no less than twenty-five Norman fortresses.
These formed two lines, the first including Scenfreth,
Grosmont, Monmouth, Chepstow, and Caldecot, on the
banks of the Monnow, the Wye, and the Severn ; and
the second, including Whitecastle, Usk, Llangibby,
Caerleon, and Newport, stretching in a diagonal line
from Grosmont to tne banks of the Rumney. Many
important historical events took place at these castles.
Henry II seized that of Caerleon, and burnt the town,
it is said, in revenge, because its lord would not join
in his expedition to Ireland. Henry III defeated
Llywelyn, the Welsh prince, at Grosmont, and his
queen built the beautiful church there. Henry V,
when Prince of Wales, drove Owen Glyndwr out of
Grosmont Castle, and defeated him in battle at Usk.
Newport Castle was the refuge of Simon de Mont-
fort, the great Earl of Leicester, in the contest between
Henry III and his barons. After the escape of Prince
Edward victory deserted the banner of that heroic
man. Woodward says : " The bridges on the Severn
were broken down by Edward's troops, who also seized
upon the boats they found on the stream, and in an
engagement on the wide estuary now called the Bristol
Channel, they defeated the ships of their great
opponent. They were drawing their toils closer and
still closer round him ; at Hereford he was beset for a
time, but whilst some of his followers, driven into
Gloucestershire, submitted themselves to the prince, he
broke out, and being joined by Llewellyn, with whom
he contracted a still closer alliance, attacked and
destroyed Monmouth Castle, and devastated the lands
round about ; then throwing himself into Newport, he
was shut in on every side. The Earl at length made
his escape from Newport by night, and almost alone,
and returned to Hereford, for he found it diflBcult to
keep his men together in the Welsh territory, being
used (like all Englishmen to this hour) to bread ; they*
OP MONMOUTHSHIRE. 7
could not relish the meat and milk which were the
chief sustenance of the Cymry, and the ways were so
beset by parties of the enemy, that none were safe.
He was expecting the arrival of his brave son with
new forces, when Prince Edward received tidings of
their approach, and fell upon them unexpectedly,
making almost all of them prisoners. And then came
the end On the 5th of August was the fatal fight of
Evesham."
Some time before this, in the reign of Henir II,
Newport had been the scene of a treacherous ana dis-
graceful massacre. The King, on his return from
Ireland, desired to make peace with lorwerth ap Owen
ap Caradoc, and lorwerth obeying the king's summons,
desired his son Owen to come to him upon the road.
Owen, in conformity with his father's orders, hastened
forward with a small retinue, who were so well assured
of the King's protection, that they thought it needless
to encumber themselves with arms which might retard
their journey. This exactly suited the dastard purposes
of their inveterate enemy, the Earl of Gloucester,
whose soldiers being apprised of their errand and
intended route, were in waiting to receive them, and as
they passed Newport Castle, rushed out to attack them.
Owen was killed upon the spot with most of his
followers, a few only escaping to carry back the heavy
tidings to his father.
At the time of the Reformation there were about
seventeen religious houses in the county, but one of
these, Llanthony Abbey, had fallen into decay long
before from other causes. At the time of the dissolu-
tion there were only about thirteen monks in Tintern
Abbey. Llantarnam Abbey is the subject of legend,
and it is stiffly asserted in some histories that King
Arthur was crowned within its walls, and that his
queen underwent the same ceremony in St. Julian's
nunnery. As, however, the monastery does not appear
to have been founded until the twelfth century by
Howel, the story may be safely dismissed, though, like
KOTES ON THE HISTORY
other religious houses, the great foundation may have
heen preceded by buildings of wattles and rods. In the
time of Mary, Elizabeth, and James I, the usual
barbarities appear to have been practised upon many
persons in the 'name of religion, but Monmouthshire
seems to have gone quietly through all those troubled
times, and it is not until 1679 that we find an execu-
tion for religious causes. The victim was Charles
Baber, alias David Lewis, a Jesuit priest, who was
apprehended one Sunday morning by six armed men
in a little house in the parish of St. Michael, Llan-
tarnam, and taken that day to Abergavenny, and the
next to Monmouth gaol, where he was kept ma room
by himself, for which he was obliged to pay fourteen
shillings a week. The foUowing year he was sentenced
to death at Monmouth. He was then sent to 1-^**?°/
and strictly examined concerning the pretended i^pisn
plot, but after vain attempts to induce him to add to
Titus Oates's false testimony, he was sent back ^am
to Monmouthshire, and eventually hanged at usk,
with the usual horrible accompaniments, on August
27th, 1679. Challoner gives his very long speecn
before execution, which says volumes for his resigna-
tion and presence of mind. . -
At the time of the civil war in the reign ot
Charles T, Monmouthshire was again the scene ot
8tirrh.g events. lu the Diary of Richard Symonds
who accompanied the King in his many marches, a list
is given of all the castles in the county, and ot tnese
ei^t are pronounced habitable, and two of these,
Pencoed and Penhowr, are registered " vei^ tf^^.' *"?
one, "Llanribby, strong and inhabited and tortitied .
Pencoed w^ the residence of Sir Edward Morga^, who
was High Sheriff for that year. 1645. The habitable
castles were Chepstov^r, Baglan, Monmouth, Usk, L,lan-
gibby, Pencoed, Penhow. and Beeston The castles
mentioned as "ruined" at that date are Ca^rleon, New-
port, Abergavenny, Arnold, White<^tle, grosmont,
and Skenfrith • the last three belonging to the Duchy
OP MONMOUTHSHIRE. 9
of Lancaster. Callicot, Trewilliam, and Greenfield
Castles are mentioned as having no ruins left. If by
Callicot he means Caldicot, he must have had his
information second-hand and not very correctly, for
Caldicot is a strong and interesting castle, though in a
ruined condition. Notwithstanding its return as
*' ruined" there appears to have been a garrison for the
King in Newport Castle of about fifty men (five
hundred were paid for), commanded by Col. Herbert,
eldest son of Lord Herbert of Cherbury. It appears
that in those days the town of Newport consisted
entirely of one long street, called Monmouth Street.
This Herbert seems to have been a staunch royalist ;
he resided at St. Julian's, near Caerleon, and Oliver
Cromwell wrote him the following sharp letter :
** Leaguer before Pembroke,
"18th June 1648.
" Sir, — I would have you to be informed that I have good
report of your secret practices against the public cuivantage ; by
means whereof that archtraitor, Sir Nicholas Kemeys, with his
torse, did surprise the Castle of Chepstow ; but we have notable
discoveiy from the papers taken by Col. Ewer on recovering the
Castle^ that Sir Trevor WiUiams of Llaoigibby was the malig-
nant who set on foot the plot. Now I give you this plain warn-
ing by Captain Nicholas and Captain Burges, that if you do
harbour or conceal either of the parties, or abet their misdoings,
I will cause your treasonable nest to be burnt about your ears.
" OuvER Cromwell."
It is well known how Charles I came to Monmouth-
shire after the battle of Naseby ; how hospitably he
was received by the Marquis of Worcester at Raglan
Castle ; how nobly that castle held out against Fairfax ;
and how at length it was forced to capitulate in 1646,
the horses having eaten their halters for want of forage,
and having to be fastened with chains. Chepstow
Castle was the last garrison that held out for the
King. It fell in 1648, when Sir Nicholas Kemeys, the
Commander, was, in spite of proposals to capitulate,
massacred by the Parliamentary soldiers. On July 22,
10 NOTES ON THE HISTORY
1645, King Charles went to Creeke (Crick House ?) to
meet Prince Rupert from Bristol. There is a tradition
that the Parliament men came in at one door, whilst
King Charles left by the other : it may have been on
the occasion of this visit. After the council of war
the King returned to Raglan and the Prince to Bristol.
On Thursday 24th July, the King came to Black
Rock, intending to get over towards Bristol. The
gentlemen of Wales persuaded earnestly his stay,
and immediately raised the " Hoop 1 hoop ! ' The chief
inhabitants of Monmouthshire seem to have taken the
royal side, with the exception of two or three who
were, like the majority of the commons, only anxious
to live at peace and to save their goods, and for that
purpose were occasionally to be found, first on one
side and then on the other.
In the letter from Captain Dabridgecourt, before
alluded to, written from St. Pierre in 1644, he speaks of
the difiiculty of rousing the inhabitants to any exertion.
He writes to Prince Rupert : " I shall beseech you to
send me no more into this country if you intend I
shall do you any service, without a strong party to
compel them, not to entreat them The ammuni-
tion hath been here these seven days for want of
carriages, and I fear shall stay seven more unless I have
some power to force the people. They value neither
Sir John Winter, his warrants, nor mine, nor any.
Some say they will not come ; the rest come not and
say nothing. All generally disafiected, and the force
that is in Chepstow not able to compel them
Here be two or three constables deserve hanging, and
I had done it ere this if I had but a party to defend
me from their Welsh bills."
Some years ago, in the roof of the Priory House,
Caerleon, an old letter was found, which may be seen
in the Museum at Caerleon. It runs thus :
** Captain Thomas Morgan, — You are to remain with the
Train Band under your command in the town of Chepstow, to
OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. 1 1
secure the said town, and not to permit any of the firearms to
go out of the said town. Also, of the four pieces of ordnance
which are there, you are to dispose two of them for the defence
of the town of Monmouth ; and for so doing this shall be your
warrant.
" Dated at Eagland the 28th day of March 1643.
" Ed. Herbert."
Mr. Wakeman says that " the writer of this letter, Ed.
Herbert, was an active Parliamentarian of Merthyr
Gerin Grange, in Magor; he died in 1666. Who
Capt. Thomas Morgan was is not so clear."
The close of the civil war concludes the picturesque
and adventurous part of the history of Monmouth-
shire, but enough has been said to show how inex-
haustible that history is, and how it may be viewed in
very different ways, — civil, military, and ecclesiastical.
The abundance of materials, not the scarcity of them,
has hitherto hindered the production of a complete
and reliable county history, and two or three anti-
quaries of note have delayed publishing valuable facts,
on account of the continual growth of interesting
matter, as their researches went on. The industrial
and commercial history of the county has a large field
for those interested in it, from the first ironmakers at
Pontypool, who were a family of the name of Grant,
and who were succeeded in the year 1565 by Mr.
Richard Hanbury, citizen and goldsmith of London.
At that time, the reign of Elizabeth, the ore was
smelted with charcoal, and to prevent the destruction
of timber in making it, a statute was passed prohibiting
the erection of iron works, except in certain districts ;
of these Monmouthshire was one. In 1740 coal was
successfully employed in iron-smelting, but the iron
industries of this county developed at first very slowly,
and the famous Nantyglo works even were at first
unsuccessful.
Later on an immense stride was taken, and the
coal and iron trade is the greatest industry in the
county, and a powerful factor in all its concerns.
Of course, in this sketchy memorandum only a few
12 MONMOUTH.
points have been touched upon, but these will show the
immense variety of subject there is in the history of
our own neighbourhood ; and the history of even a small
part, if carefully worked out, will often throw light
upon the history of the whole kingdom.
F. J. Mitchell.
MONMOUTH.
The town of Monmouth has generally been considered
to occupy the site of the Roman station called Blestium,
and the distances given in the Itineraries bear out this
opinion, though, with the exception of a few coins no
relics of Roman times have been found there. When a
former visit of the Cambrian Association was made to
Monmouth in 1857, it was stated by Mr. Wakemau
that he had carefully examined the remains of the
ancient Norman town, and considered it identical with
the Roman one. But looking at the shape of the ancient
suburb of Over-Monnow, with its two main roads at
right angles, and open space at their point of inter-
section, surrounded as it is by an angular earthwork, I
cannot help thinking it to have been a more likely
position for ancient filestium than the Norman town
of Monmouth, especially as the Romans preferred low
ground near rivers for their towns ; but I leave this
matter for the consideration of those better versed in
Roman castrametation than I am.
Leland says that the town, where not defended by
the rivers, was enclosed by a wall, which wall, he adds,
extended from the Monks Gate and East Gate almost
to the Wye ; and again from Monk's Gate to the Mon-
now. He also says there were four gates in the wall of
the town — ^the Monk's Gate, East Gate, Wye Gate,
and Monnow Gate ; ** the latter being upon that bridge
under which the Mone flows." This description of the
>^ x.jg'g oA<<y
14 MONMOUTH.
position of the latter gate must be incorrect, as the
walled town ended near the top of Monnow Street.
Speed's map, 1610, shows the position of these gates,
calling the East Gate by the name of Dixton's Grate,
and tne gate at the top of Monnow Street, near the
Bailey, the West Gate. There were remains of a gate
in this position a few years ago, which were used as a
Starting near this poiijt, the wall ran behind the
houses in a direct line towards the Wye. The street
formerly called the Back Lane, but now St. John Street,
Glendower Street, and Workhouse Lane, was evidently
the fosse : at the bottom of Workhouse Lane it turned at
right angles towards the Wye-bridge Gate, and going
on in the same direction, on the north side of Wye-
bridge Lane (which was the fosse), a little beyond the
east end of the Lane turned at right angles, or nearly
so, to the East Gate, now Dixton Gate, of which there
are some remains of one of the towers, forming part
of the Old Nag's Head Inn. From thence the rampart
and fosse, as laid down in Speed's map, extend to
Monk's Gate and the high bank of the Monnow, and
along it to the Castle, where the wall went round the
Castle, and joined the town wall again at the gate at
the top of Monnow Street. This enclosed an area of
twenty acres, beside the Castle. In addition to these
gates there seems to have been a postern, or sally-port,
at the end of Workhouse lane.
In making the circuit of the town a few days ago, in
company witnMr.GriflSn, we passed through the premises
of Mr. Thomas Baker at the top of Monnow Street,
and the latter pointed out to us the course of the town
ditch, now filled in, but which originally ran from the
direction of the river Monnow through his orchard
and garden, under the castle hill to Monnow Street.
This is a considerable divergence from the line of
circumvallation as given by Leland, Speed, and others,
and would place the town gate lower down Monnow
Street ; and it seems to me that this was the case, for,
MONMOUTH. 1 5
in describing an engagement between the Royalists
and Parliamentarians in 1645, a contemporary writer
says, "that the Royalists, seeing Col. Kyrle approaching
with 100 muskettiers, retreated to the lower end of
Monnow Street,^ which they had possessed a long time,
and upon his coming to the inmost bridge in the midst
of Monnow Street, ne commanded it to be let down",*
etc. If this should prove to be the original position
of the town gate, the gate described as formerly used
as the gaol would be the one from the town to the
outer bailey of the castle, and is probably the gate
spoken of in old writings as St. Stephen's. This devia-
tion from Speed is shown by a dotted line on the map.
The suburb of Monmouth, now called Over- Monnow,
appears to be of considerable antiquity, as it is sur-
rounded by an ancient earthwork known by the name
of "Clawdi dhu" (Black Dyke or Ditch). This earthwork,
which appears to have begun at the river Monnow,
between the mouth of the Scud Brook and Monnow
Bridge, crosses the road, and runs through the gardens
near the old Dry-bridge turnpike gate ; then turns at
a right angle, and extends for some distance its course
in the direction of Gibraltar Hill, and then turns
towards the Monnow again, where it ends near the old
Cinderhill turnpike. The name Cinderhill tells its own
tale ; it is a street made over the cinders of the ancient
bloomaries. In ancient times the process of extracting
the iron from the ore was so imperfectly performed that
a few years ago men were employed to raise these
cinders in order to resmelt them. Heath, in his His-^
^ The following note is in Heath's account of Mr. Baker's house,
then occupied by Mr. Hughes, and which I mention because it is
just opposite the position where I imagine " the drawbridge in the
midst of Monnow Street" was situated. *' Mr. Hughes is induced
to believe, from some ancient doorways and walls now remaining in
his cellar, that the site of his house formed part of Monmouth
Castle. Certainly their appearance justifies such a conclusion, and
from their affinity we should be induced to credit the opinion." In-
stead of the " Castle" I should be inclined to say the Town Gate as
marked by the dotted line.
« Webb's Civil Wars, vol. ii, p. 400.
IG MONMOUTH.
tory of Monmouth, describes a flood in 1 79fi^ which tore
up the Cinderhill road, and disclosed the cinders of
which it was composed.
The ancient Norman church of St. Thomas stands in
an open space in this part of Over-Monnow, and the
base of an old cross may be seen near the Green
Dragon Inn. On Speed's map the street is called St.
Thomas Street, and the cross is represented in situ at
the junction of the four streets. This part of Mon-
mouth W61S in the middle ages called the Capper s town,
from the fact that most of its inhabitants were em-
ployed in making hats or caps. Shakespeare refers to
this headgear in his Henry F, where Fluellen says to
that monarch : " If your majesties is remembered of
it, the Welshmen did goot service in a garden where
leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps ;
which your majesty knows to this hour is an honourable
padge of the service, and I do believe your majesty
takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy s day."
Fuller, in his Worthies, giving an account of the Mon-
mouth caps, speaks of them thus; "These were the
most ancient, general, warm, and profitable coverings
of men's heads in this island. In the old church of
St. Mary there was a very elegant chapel called the
Capper's chapel, which was taken down in 1736.
The gate-house on Monnow bridge is a good speci-
men of a late Norman building of its kind. It was in
no way connected with the walls of the town, but was
probably used for the collection of tolls at fairs, which
were held extra muros. Between the walled Norman
town and the* bridge over Monnow lay an open space;
for Monnow Street could not have been built tUl many
years later. This open space was the market ground, as
the name Chippenham still reminds us. From the
Anglo-Saxon ceapian, to buy, are derived many-
names of towns of early commerce. A chipping was
the old English term for market, and ham, home or
place. Monnow Street still continued to be used for
the same purpose at the large fairs, until the New
MONMOUTH. 17
Cattle Market was provided in 1876. The bridge was
originally much narrower than it is at present, as may
be seen by looking at the arches from beneath. The
arches of the footway are modern.
Near the tower on the river Monnow stands a late
Norman church dedicated to St. Thomas, in the diocese
of Llandaff, which has two ornamented Norman door-
ways on the north side, one formerly leading into the
nave, and the other into the chancel. There is also a
Norman chancel arch, and in the chancel on the north
side a string courae about 5^ in. by 3^ in., 5 feet
4 inches from the floor, which originally existed on the
south side, but was cut away by the ignorant zeal of
a mason to make room for the gas pipes.
The Castle of Monmouth stands on a high mound
on the southern bank of the river Monnow, which
formed part of its defences, and we see by Speed's
Map that it was enclosed by the town wall. It proba-
bly was the site of a Saxon castellum^ for it is men-
tioned aj3 one of a line of strongholds erected to curb
the predatory incursions of the Welsh. This fortress
would be an earthen mound palisaded on the summit,
and surrounded by a deep ditch, with little or no
masonry; but the situation was of so much importance
in the subjugation of this part of the country, that we
find very soon after the Norman Conquest that a stone
castle was erected on this spot ; and the Liher Landa-
vensis fixes the date at about 1071, in the following
passage : " In the time of King William and Earl Wil-
liam, and Walter de Laci, and Raul de Bernhai, Vis-
count (Sheriff) of Hereford, the Castle of Monmouth
was built ; and Earl William gave a moiety of the
Castle to his three barons, Humphrey, Osborne, and
William the Writer ; and on Earl William's death
Earl Roger succeeded him, and through treason he was
captured, together with his betrayer, by the King.
They three, with others, were dispossessed. After
these things the Castle was given to Guerthenauc (or
Wihenoc), and in his time Bishop Herwald consecrated
5th bkr., tol. III. 2
1 8 MONMOUTH.
the church of the Castle of Monmouth, — ' et in tem-
pore illius Herqualdus Episcopus consecravit ecclesiam
de castello Minqui/" This church, which was dedi-
cated to St. Cadocus, was removed about 1134 from
the interior of the Castle to some mutually convenient
locality outside it, having become inconvenient to the
garrison.who were unpleasant to the monks who served
it. Wihenoc was succeeded by William Fitzbaderon,
who is mentioned in Domesday (1086) as holding the
Castle.
Lambarde tells us that in the reign of King John
the Castle was alternately possessed by opposite parties.
He says it was occupied by *• Richard the Erie Mar-
shal, who associating with other noblemen moved war
against the King ; and then by the Earl of Gloster ;
and after this, Symon speedily following, assailed, took,
and razed it to the ground.'*
In 1216 John de Munmuth was made Governor of
St. Briavels. He gave the Hospital of St. John of
Monmouth to the monks of St. Florence at Saumur.
In 1266 Prince Edward surrendered the Castle and
honour of Monmouth to his brother Edmund, surnamed
'* Crouch back", and it continued in his family till it
came to John of Gaunt by his marriage with Blanche,
daughter and heiress of Henry Duke of Lancaster.
Monmouth Castle was a favourite residence of his, and
of his son, Henry of Bolingbroke, afterwards King
Henry IV.
The greatest historical event connected with this
Castle occurred in August 1357, when the son of the
latter, the future King Henry V, was born within its
walls ; and tradition still points out the wall of the
room where the conqueror of Agincourt first saw light.
(See illustration next page )
I know not any remarkable event connected with
Monmouth Castle during the long Wars of the Roses,
but when we come to the times of the civil wars be-
tween Charles I and the Parliamentarians, we find that
with varying fortune it was in possession first of one
MONMOUTK.
19
side, and then of the other, till on March 30th, 1647,
it is recorded that Colonel Kyrle came to Monmouth,
and gave orders for the sleighting of the garrison, and
Monmoath Castle.
The Walls of the Room in which Henry V waa said to be born.
the soldiers and townsmen began to pull down the
round tower of the Castle, and to demolish the works ;
but it was not till December 22nd of the same year
22
20 MONMOUTH,
that the tower of the Castle of Monmouth fell down
upon one side. Upon the site of the fallen tower, and
with the materials of it and of other parts of the
Castle, the first Duke of Beaufort built the present
Castle House in 1682. This contributed to the further
destruction of the Castle, and left the scanty remains
of the old fortress in its present dilapidated state. In
the beginning of this century an outwork of the Castle
still stood near the narrow part of the top of Monnow
Street, as previously mentioned. This was the Bailey
Tower, and its name is still retained in the name of
the ward of the borough, which is called the Bailey
Ward. A fragment of what may have been the great
hall of the Castle remains, as also some of the wcdls of
two dilapidated flanking towers; but the existing
relics are too insignificant to give a clue to the original
plan.
THE PRIORY.
The Priory of Monmouth was founded by Wythenoc
de Munmuth, about 1073, as a Benedictine monastery,
subject to the Abbey of St. Florence, or, as it is some-
times called, St. Laurence, near Salmur, in Anjou.
From Dugdale's invaluable Monasticon we reprint the
following particulars of its history :
" Wihenoc de Monemue, or Monmouth, in the time of Henry I
brought over a convent of black monks from St. Florence, near
Salmur, in Anjou, whom he placed first in the church of St.
Cadoc, near the Castle here, and afterwards in the church of
St. Mary. The first endowment of this house consisted of various
churches, chiefly in the neighbourhood, with three carucates of
land near the Castle of Monmouth, a carucate at Lancadok, a
carucate at Snenton, and various tithes. Baderon of Monemue,
brother of Wihenoc, gave the monks here three forges, with the
tithes of vill in Monmouth. Hugh de Laci gave them an annual
rent of three shillings in Lideuey. Richard de Cormeiles gave
them the church of Weston, with all his right in the church of
Tradinton. The former of these donations was confirmed by
Walter de Cormeiles, his son.
" Of two hospitals which were founded at Monmouth by John
MONMOUTH. 21
de Monemuta about a.d. 1240, one, dedicated to St John, was
given by his son to the Abbot and monks of Salmur, of whom
the monks of Monmouth formed a part. The deed of founda-
tion of the other hospital, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is given
with the deeds of Monmouth Priory.
" Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, second son of Henry III, gave
to the Prior and Convent of Monmouth ten acres of wood in
Bochotte, in the road from Monmouth to Hereford, with two
acres of waste land in Codythan.
" Monmouth was, among other alien priories, seized by the
Crown during the various wars with France, but was as regu-
lariy again restored. Henry IV, in the first year of his reign,
restored all conventual alien priories, reserving in times of war
to the Crown, what they paid in times of peace to the foreign
abbeys ; but in the reign of his son they were given to the King
witliout reserve.
" Monmouth Priory, however, was one of those which were
allowed to become denizen, and so remained till the general
suppression of religious houses in the time of Henry VIlT, when
its revenues were rated at £56 :1 : 11. The site was granted,
in the 4th and 5th of Philip and Mary, to Bichard Price and
Thomas Perry.
"PRIORS OF MONMOUTH.
** Kobert occurs Prior of Monmouth in the time of Henry I,
in the first charter of Baderon de Monemue, as does Goisfridus
or Greofltrey in another charter of Baderon, and in one of Richard
de Cormeiiis, about A.D. 1125. The Geoffrey mentioned in the
latter charter is probably the same person who is called * Geof-
fredus Parvus*.
" Peter occurs in the charter of Hugh de Laci, about 1134.
" Florentius occurs in the charter of John de Monemuta the
elder, in the time of Elias Bishop of liandaff, about 1230 a.d.
"Peter de Bosco occurs A.D. 1297.
•'Thomas Tynney was made Prior a.d. 1379.
" Richard Ward occurs in the first year of Henry IV, A.D. 1400.
He died in 1412.
" William Eyton succeeded in the same year.
"Robert occurs in the time of Booth, Bishop of Hereford,
about A.D. 1500.
" Richard Taylbush was the last Prior, a.d. 1539. He received
an annual pension of £9 after the Dissolution.
" No Register of Monmouth Priory is noticed anywhere ; nor
have the editors of the new Mcmasticon as yet found an impres-
sion of its common seal.
22 MONMOUTH.
" Vide * In bibl. Bodl, Oxon., MS. Dodsworth, vol. Ixiii, fol.
104, cartas quasdam spectantes ad prioratum de Monmouth,
Pat. 15, Edw. Ill, p. 3, m. 2, vol. iii, in Bundello Beuef. alieniq.,
48 Edw. Ill, de eccl. de Monmouth, Stretton, Asperton, Dixton,
Tatington, Llanrethall, Castro Godrich, Ac, Prioratui alien, de
Monemuta appropriatis.' Rec. in Scacc. 33 Hen. VI, Mich.
Eot. 12.
" Certain Pleadings of the 4th year of King John, as to the
Church of Staunton, which belonged to this Priory, are preserved
in the Augmentation OflBce, in which repository are cdso to be
found several deeds from its benefactors, and a Court Roll of
the 7th Rich. II."
The last of the Priors, Richard Tailebus or Taylbush,
granted on Jan. 27, a.d. 1585, in the 27th Henry VIII,
a lease for seventy years of " all that scite and mano-
rial place lying in the town of Monmouth, and joyning
the priori church, and the parish church of Monmouth,
to Rob. Terghwhyt at a reserved rent of £6 : 1 3 : 4 per
an , taking £20 sterling in the name of a fyne." He
was evidently setting his house in order, for the pre-
vious year the Kings commissioners had valued the
Priory ; and the following year, in the account ren-
dered by the King's servants, the Priory is described
as lately dissolved.
The situation of the Priory Church seems, from the
above lease, to have been near to the parish church,
and in Speed's map it is drawn as close to the east end
of it. In 1736 there was still standing the ruin of this
grand church, consisting of what Mr. Heath describes
as " beautiful arches springing from massy columns";
but in those days of destruction it was considered to be
in the way.
The accompanying sketch of St. Mary's, with the
ruins of the old Priory Church adjoining, gives an idea
of the position of the original church belonging to the
Benedictine Priory, and agrees with Speed's description
of it. " In this town a beautiful church with 3 iles is
remaining ; and at the east end a most curiously built
(but now decayed) church stands, called the Monks'
Church." The nave of this church was for the use of
MONMOUTH.
23
the parifihioners, while the ruined eastern portion
formed part of that used by the monks/ The latter
church appears to have been cruciform ; and probably
adjoining the north transept was the chapter-house of
the order. This and other buildings would extend in
the same direction till they joined a building, the wall
of which was pulled down some years ago in preparing
St. Matj's Charch.
the ground for the erection of the oflBces of the Regis-
trar of the County Court. Here was probably one of
the day-rooms of the monks ; and in the process of re-
moving the dihris^ the workmen discovered a series of
encaustic wall-tiles, which were described by the late
^ In 1684 the first Duke of Beaufort, in his progress through
Wales, describes a monument of a knight, cross-legged, on an altar-
tomb then existing in the church, which was traditionally considered
to be John of Monmouth. This had been damaged by Cromwell's
soldiers, and was entirely destroyed when the church was *' restored**
in 1736.
24
MONMOUTH.
Mr. Wakeman in his paper on the Prioiy of Monmouth,
printed by the British Archseological Association in its
Journal, vol. iv, p. 216.
Of the conventual buildings there still remains the
part known as "Geoffrey's Window", though, of course.
many years later than his time. Geoffrey was a Bene-
dictine monk, Archdeacon of Monmouth, and Bishop of
St. Asaph, 1152. He was said to have been born in
Monmouth. This window wras probably in the domestic
buildings of the Priory, erected in the middle or latter
part of the fifteenth century.
MONMOUTH. 25
The common seal of the Priory is unknown, but
several impressions of the seal of Prior Florence exist
in the Augmentation Ofl&ce. It is an eagle with two
heads displayed, with a crescent in chief, and the legend
reads, sioillum Florence pkioris monem.
In addition to the Priory we read of St. John's Monas-
tery and the Hospital of the Holy Trinity. These were
probably of the same foundation, and they are described
in thecharter of John of Monmouth, during the priorate
of Florence, about 1216, as being situated without the
East Gate of Monmouth ; but no trace whatever of the
buildings remains.
The parish church, dedicated to St. Mary, stands on
the site of the ancient Priory Church. At the recent
restoration, in 1881, the bases of the pillars of the old
Norman church were exposed to view ; and one respond
of the arcading stiU remains against the wall of the
tower, which forms part of the western end of the pre-
sent nave. Its base is 3 feet 6 inches below the pre-
sent floor. An ancient encaustic pavement was disco-
vered some feet below the present floor, and a broken
portion of a cresset-stone was found by the workmen
excavating in the interior of the church. The frag-
mentary block measures 18 ins. by 11 ins., and contains
the remains of six cups about 2^ ins. in diameter, and
2 ins. deep. The bottoms and sides of the cups have
dark discolorations, as from the action of fire. The
cressets or cups were filled with fat, and were used by
the monks as lamps at the night offices of the church,
and in their dormitories. A holy water stoup was also
found built into one of the walls that was taken down.
There is a good four-light, late Decorated window in
the western side of the tower, and a fine arch of the
same date opening into the church. On the north and
south sides of the tower are two turrets (Norman, I
imagine) about 7 ft. wide, and nearly 6 ft. deep, run-
ning high up the tower. The one on the south con-
tains the tower-staircase. An elegant spire surmounts
the tower. The church has been rebuilt from the plans
26 MONMOUTH.
of Mr. G. E. Street, R.A., in Early English style, with
the addition of a new chancel and vestry. This church
was until lately in the diocese of Hereford, but it is
now in that of Llandaff, the river Monnow having beoi^
until 1844, the boundary between the two dioceses.
There has of late been much discussion as to the
arms of the town of Monmouth, and some authorities
consider that it has no right to use the shield which is
given on the old map of Speed. The town-seal has the
device of a common trow under sail, and it was granted
when Charles II gave the town a new charter. It has
this inscription engraved round the handle, under the
matrix : " xxvij Anno Regni Regis Caroli 2*** nunc Ang-
lia\ etc. '*Eec'us Ballard Ar : tunc Secundo Major
Villa de Monmouth."
A few years ago the matrix of the seal of the Chan-
cery of Monmouth was discovered by a poor man in the
Wye, and for some time this was used as the weight
of a clock-pendulum ; but having been seen by some
one who recognised its original use, it was rescued from
its ignoble position. It was engraved in the Journal
of the Archaeological Institute in March 1857. It ap-
pears to be well executed, and quite perfect, and bears
the figure of an armed knight on horseback, with this
inscription : ''S: Edwardi : di : gra : reg : Angl : t :
Francie : CanceUarie : sue : de : Monemoutk\ This was
the official seal of the Court of the Lord Marcher of
Monmouth, who held his own court, modelled after
those at Westminster ; and from this court issued writs
MONMOUTH. 27
both original and judicial. The King's writs did not
run in the marches, nor could the Crown officers exe-
cute any such writs within these precincts unless the
whole barony was in question, and in case of high trea-
son. The date of the seal is given as Edward IV.
Seal of the Chancery of Sionmouth.
CAREW CASTLE.
No other place that I know shows so plainly, and in
such contrast, the different periods which have princi-
pally affected it as Carew Castle. First, the original
construction, probably tempore Henry II. As viewed
from the west it looks like an Edwardian castle with
later windows and battlements; but it is really earlier,
and part of the east side and the north-east tower are
of the same date, namely Early English. Second, the
east and west interior faces built by Sir Rhys ap Tho-
mas about 1480. Third, the north front and the north
side of the inner court, the work of Sir John Perrot
28 CAREW CASTLE.
about 1580. And fourth, the siege in 1644, the effect
of which was the reverse of constructive, on the whole
of the south side.
The earliest works which show a definite date are, in
my opinion, the piscina and the rudiments of the ori-
ginal north light in the chapel, and a window in an
unoccupied and inaccessible chamber at the top of what
1 have called the north-east tower, the square tower
adjoining the chapel on the north side. This last is
the highest chamber in the Castle ; and these are all
well defined Early English. There can scarcely be a
doubt that this was the date of the first construction,
the remains of which are the north-west and south-
west towers with their connecting wall and building,
and the south-east tower with the gateway and all the
east front as far as the square tower just named.
I fail to find any trace of a British caer or camps of
any sort.
Sir Rhys appears to have altered every light (except
that in the north-east tower), and perhaps the battle-
ments and chimney-stacks ; but his most decided alter-
ations appear in the inner court, the west and east
sides of which were wholly recast by him. Probably
he treated the north and south sides similarly. But
Sir John Perrot recast the north, and Cromwell's men
cast down the south, in each case so effectually that
there is no trace of what preceded. I expect Sir Rhys*
work is evidenced externally only by the windows, and
that Sir John Perrot altered the parapets and chimneys.
The very remarkable building of Sir John Perrot
seems to have been suggested by the peculiar ground-
plan. The square base of the north-west tower faces
very different points from that of the south-west tower.
Its west face is at right angles to the true west, while
the corresponding face of the other is at right angles
to the north-west point ; consequently. Sir John found
that he could continue the north face of the last named
in a straight line, and build on the square of the east
face, almost outside the existing building, while using
CAREW CASTLE. 29
the north-west tower as part of his new work. The
latter is a continuation of the north-west tower, having
it for its west end ; but it ends altogether outside the
north face of the east front, the original wall of which
still exists internally. Consequently the building, ori-
ginally rectangular, or nearly so, now has its east front
longer by the whole width of Sir John Perrot's work
than the west front is.
This rather goes to show, as pointed out by Mr.
Clark, that when the form of the site does not forbid
it, the desire to be concentric existed before Edwardian
times. But in no sense can Carew be considered as
coming within either of Mr. Clark's definitions. It is
remarkable that in his recent admirable work, like Mr.
King, he omits descriptions of Pembrokeshire castles.
Even here, perhaps, generally level as the ground is,
the set of the square bases of the western round towers
was probably due to the nature of the foundation. In
its present form, what strikes me most is the vast
accommodation for state purposes, and the scant provi-
sion of domestic chambers and offices. The whole
space between the two western towers consists, and
apparently always did consist, only of a lower vaulted
hsJl formed by a double row of nine bays on the
ground-floor, opening to the vaulted basements of the
western towers, probably for the use of followers ; and
of a lofty, timber-roofed hall over, opening at each end
to the towers ; which last, above the vault of basement,
contain only two state rooms with fireplaces and
latrines.
The south-east angle tower» of horseshoe form, also
contains a vaxilted basement, which was a double sally-
port, and two fine chambers with better private accom-
modation above. The east building is mainly occupied
by stairs, — ^two great halls, one over the other, — the
chapel with the priests' rooms adjoining, crypt below,
and a state room over. The vaulted basement, like
tliat on the opposite side, might have been the kitchen,
only it has no fireplace ; and the whole of Sir John
30 CAREW CASTLE.
Perrot's building seems to have comprised only an
upper and lower long and lofty gallery-like chamber
with like vast rooms at the west end. The basement
might have been the kitchen, as alleged, but it also
has no fireplace ; and I do not think that people who
built as Sir John did would have put their kitchens
under their timber-floored halls ; and if a kitchen, in
such case one would expect some provision for stairs.
The only parts left for domestic purposes are the cham-
bers on each side of the entrance.
There cannot have been erections in the court (now
gone), so common elsewhere, as that would have spoiled
the whole effect of the more recent design. The offices,
if anywhere within the present walls, must, therefore,
have been on the south side, now destroyed. But even
here there is little appearance of, and less room for,
barracks, stabling, barns, and the like.
Sir Rhys' object seems to have been display, and he
possibly housed his own followers and those of his
guests and their horses temporarily on the green. The
numbers he entertained were very great.
As a fortress Carew seems to have been very weak.
Its situation has none of the advantages usually selected
by mediaeval engineers, except, perhaps, convenience
of sea- transport ; not even that of water for use, con-
venient of access. The east front seems peculiarly ex-
posed ; yet here was the chapel-tower with windows
near the ground, and the gateway with only one gate,
and one portcullis, and no flanking guard-rooms. It
seems almost necessary to believe that there was an
outer and better protected court ; but there are no cer-
tain vestiges of it.
The very pretty little gate-tower is clearly Sir Rhys';
but it can only be looked on as a toy ; and the curtain
on each side, with the low rampart, looks only for
parade. The parapet is built in the middle of the wall,
allowing standing space on the wall outside. Any one,
without being active, could rest here and clamber over
the parapet ; while not a single loop here, or anywhere
CAREW CASTLE. 31
else, rakes the wall. A boy might have got into Sir
John's east end, and fired the wood floors.
Yet Cromwell did not attack this side, but the more
solid south. Perhaps his object was more to destroy
than only to take. The ravelin thrown out in front of
the gate-tower seems to show the sense of weakness,
and possibly was sufficient to look formidable.
The marked dissimilarity between Pembroke and the
earlier building at Carew is very striking. The first
gathers round a vast central keep ; the last has nothing
that can be called a keep. The first has no defined
plan; the last has. Pembroke caps a limestone cliflf;
Carew is almost on the flat, in meadows. Pembroke
has no corbel-table ; Carew has it everywhere. At
Pembroke it is the roofs only that are vaulted; at
Carew everything except the roofs. At Pembroke
scarcely a loop has a recess ; at Carew there is scarcely
one without. At Pembroke the round towers have
round bases ; at Carew the bases are square. At Pem-
broke the presence of freestone is proof of early work ;
at Carew it is just the contrary, — no freestone occurs
earlier than in Sir Rhys' late Perpendicular : all the
early ashlar was a dark sandstone. At Pembroke each
tower has its own stairs in connected or disjointed
spirals; at Carew the stairs are distinct from the
towers, and serve other chambers also. Pembroke is,
for the most part, curtain ; at Carew there is now ab-
solutely no curtain. At Pembroke the site of the
Chapel of St. Nicholas cannot be pointed out ; at Carew
the chapel is the most prominent building. The ap-
proach to the entrance at Pembroke, though within
the town walls, is protected to a most unusual extent
by all the usual means; at Carew it is scarcely pro-
tected at all, though there are no town-walls or other
defence ; and what power of defence there is, is of an
exceptional character.
Entering the Castle Precinct, near the ancient cross,
an inequality of the turf may be noticed, which I think
may indicate the outer ward. It is said that the south
32 CAREW CASTLE5.
wall of the present garden has blocked loops, and that
pitching has been found in it. Perhaps it is part of a
building which may have formed the north side of the
outer ward.
Just before reaching the gate-tower was a broken
line of apparent rubbish. By partially clearing this I
have uncovered the foundations of a ravelin-work simi-
lar to that at Manorbere, thrown up. to protect the
gate in Parliamentary times. It has been a good deal
knocked about. I expect not by cannon, as the gate-
house within is not battered ; but yet in parts it re-
tains its original face.
The little foss, well walled on both sides, showed on
the north side of the present causeway leading across
it to the gate-house. It is now clear that this cause-
way is recent, and that the foss extends 9 feet to the
south of the gate-tower. The wall on which the bridge
fell to its pier remains, and the pit inside. Except the
little lift-bridge and two cross movable beams, the
gateway had no defence. It consists of a barrelled vault
18 feet long and 9 feet wide ; a room over, approached
from the south rampart, with good windows on three
sides ; a latrine ; and steps to a wondrously small look-
out turret in the north-west angle. This gate-tower,
I think, must be considered to be the original work of
Sir Rhys, though it is probably the only building
remaining which is.
The ramparts and parapet on each side have been
before referred to. The crenelles are well shaped, like
those of the south-east tower ; but all the embrasures
have been again narrowed into slits, as at Manorbere.
About 40 feet inside the gate-tower is a wall 10 feet
high, parallel with the Castle, with no loops, but with
a plain opening in it, having square holes, to carry
beams. This wall extended from the eastern face of
the south-east tower to the chapel tower, the apse of
the latter extending beyond it. Fifteen feet inside this
is the great entrance. This is very nearly round-headed,
and was probably much enriched, but every scrap of
CAREW CASTLE. 33
ashlar is now gone. In the crown are five raeurtri^re
openings, apparently stopped in Sir Rhys's time. The
vault had only one double-hung door and one port-
cullis, — the only portcullis in the Castle. But before
these were reached, the drop of a latrine and the door
to the offices occurred ; probably it Was somewhat the
same on the south side, but here the building is much
ruined. There seems to have been only a pretence of
a guard-room or any offensive arrangement, unless it
was supplied by the latrine.
The casement of the south-east tower is reached by
an arch outside the main wall of the Gastle, and be-
tween it and the cross- wall before described, and leads
to a similar arch opening out west, close on the south
face. This basement has a barrel-vault^ but gives no
access to the chambers above> and it has only one nar-
row light. It evidently served as a sallyport, both to
the ditch on the south face, and to the space betweeu
the screen wall just now described and the great
entrance. This power of attack by sally, and by fire
from the loops of the chamber above, seems to have
been almost the only means of defence of any import-
ance, and is very unusual, I believe unique ; yet it is
difficult to see how this was very serviceable, seeing
there is no apparent access between the sallyport
chamber and the other part of the Castle. The cham-
ber over is also vaulted, but was well lighted with its
own well-lit latrine and a little auxiliary chamber 5 ft.
by 4 ft. There were also loops commanding the gate-
way. Over this was another like lofty chamber with
timber roof. This tower is horseshoe in shape, and has
original crenelles similar in shape to those on the foss-
rampart.
Tne south front of the Castle, as far as Sir Rhys's
alterations, has been destroyed and replaced by a
modem wall. It looks as if a breach for assault nad
here been made ; the foundations, however, afford little
space for buildings of any importance.
North of the great entrance come, first, some service
6th bmr., vol. iir. 3
34 CAREW CASTLE.
rooms of no especial character, but vaulted ; then spa-
cious, three-flight stairs starting in the yard, every
tread of which is now removed ; and beyond, a vaulted
basement, with ribs now gone, arcaded at the sides.
It must have been a handsome chamber ; but being
wholly without light, and having no fireplace, could
have Deen used only for stores. On the east of it is a
vaulted passage leading to the crypt, and to rooms,
and a latrine beyond.
Over the store-place was a hall, 54 ft. by 24 ft., with
good windows looking into the court; and over it,
divided by a wooden floor, was another similarly sized
hall with a pitched timber roof. Here is the fireplace
with the arms of King Henry VII.
To the east is the chapel, 36^ ft. by 17 ft.; that is,
exactly one-third smaller than the chapel at Manor-
bere. It, as well as the crypt beneath, is vaulted, and
had ribs of plain, hammer-dressed stones, 10 ins. wide,
forming two bays and a half. The east end is a demi-
octagon, having three lights ; one at the east, and one
on each of the north ana south sides.
On the right of the entrance is the sandstone recess
for the stoup. Between the south and east windows
is the piscina, also of sandstone, evidently once highly
finished, and most distinctly Early English ; and on
the corresponding face a plain aumbry. Between the
north window and the door to the priest's rooms is a
good-sized but plain fireplace, clearly original ; and at
the west end, between the two doors, is an arched open-
ing to the lower eastern- hall, 4 ft. wide and 4 ft. high,
similar to that which existed at Manorbere before the
latter was converted into a door. These openings
from the chapel to the hall do not seem to have at-
tracted the attention they deserve. The windows,
apparently, were built up at bottom, and widened, pro-
bably to admit Sir Rhys's freestone ; but every vestige
of it has now disappeared. Fortunately, however, he
built over the sill and one jamb of the original sand-
stone Early English window. This I have uncovered,
CAREW CASTLE. 35
and from it can be clearly made out the character of
what it had been.
The priest's rooms consist of one chamber with a fire-
place, and beyond it a smaller, with latrine, all vaulted.
The chambers over correspond in size. That over the
chapel had a gabled timber roof and ram part- walk ;
the roof-timbers being supported on sandstone corbels,
6 ft. from the floor ; now weathered and smooth, but
which may have been once sculptured. The fireplace
was probably enriched, but the great sandstone blocks
have been forced away ; while on the north side, be-
tween the fireplace and the door, is an opening through
to the next chamber by a long, low arch not reaching
to the ground. The rooms beyond are vaulted ; so that
here are three vaults, one over the other ; the upper
being probably timber-roofed, but it is now inaccessible.
It may have been that the chamber over the chapel
was allotted to some person of position, yet not quite
entitled to the ordinary use of the halls, and that he
had his separate rations cooked in the room adjoining,
the low arch being the hatch through which it was
passed. This tower is crenellated in the same way as
the south-east tower.
The junction of Sir John's building with the older is
very visible, showing how they misfitted. There is a
long hollow between the two, at first 2 ft. wide, gra-
dually diminishing towards the west till they unite.
I need scarcely describe Sir John's building, as it is
so well known to most as one of the most magnificent
examples of late Tudor. The eastern part consisted of
a basement approached from the inner court, and two
floors forming halls or galleries above, having a half-
round end to the east, and a half-round projection on
the north; the whole about 102 ft. long and 20 ft. wide,
timber floors and roofs, and timber lintels to the win-
dow recesses. The basement is lofty, and was fairly
lighted by square windows ; but it has no fire-
place, and the loops of the latrines in the older build-
ing open into it. It seems to me it can have been only
36 CAKBW CASTLE.
a store-place. The first floor has three fireplaces, but
apparently no partitions ; and the upper has only one
fireplace, out that much enriched. The mode of access
is not quite clear. It was apparently from the western
part. Here are similar chambers, only, of course, not
so long, with one half-round projection to the north,
joining up to the north-west tower, as before described.
The corbels of the latter show inside the former. Here
were the stairs from the court. The only difference of
the windows from those to the east is that here there
is on each side of each a coved recess, as for a seat or
an eflSgy. There is an entire absence of anything that
could in my opinion serve as offices, and no latrine of
the same date as this building. I doubt if there is
any original latrine of Sir Rhys's, unless it be the mini-
ature one in the Gate Tower, or of Sir John's.
The workmanship, so far as it goes, is excellent, and
the effect striking ; but there being no arches to sup-
port the windows, they have necessarily given way as
the timber decayed, and it seems to me must shortly
perish. I can devise no way of saving or even strength-
ening them, which will not be very costly or very dis-
figuring. The owner is very anxious to do what may
be done to preserve them. He has been good enough
to consult me, placing at my disposal a sum of money
for this and other purposes in preserving the Castle ;
but I am sorry to say I can devise no satisfactory plan,
though I have taken skilled experts to advise me.
The bases of each of the western towers are square,
with great batter, dying into round at the first floor
level. Tike the base of a broach spire, as at Goderich,
Newport, Chepstow. The basements are wholly un-
connected with the chambers above, and are covered
with high, barreled vaults, the ridge being north and
south. Each have separate entrances by steps from
the vaulted western hall, and have three loops opening
out of very large recesses without seats, but no fire-
place. The east loop of the south tower opens high up
above the springing of the vault, while all the others
CAREW CASTLE. 37
are low ; and this tower has a stone basin with drain
(now-a-days we should say sink) ; and the northern
has an arched postern, 4 ft. wide, opening just under
the west face of the hall. The angle of the square base
in which this arch is placed, with the west face, is so
acute that the arch cannot be seen till you are close
to it.
There is a spring on the beach close outside, and so
far as appears at present this was the only access to
water ; out the postern looks as if it had been closed
since Sir Rhys's time.
The stairs to the chambers above are newel, and, in
each case, in the wall adjoining on the east, and have
also separate entrances from the vaulted hall. These
stairs continue to the turrets or watch-towers above.
The chambers had two lights each, latrines in the
north-west angle, and fireplaces on the east side.
Without doubt these towers are Early English, the
windows being recast by Sir Rhys, and the parapets
by him or Sir John.
The vaulted hall on the basement between these
must have been a handsome chamber, but somewhat
dark. It consisted of two rows of arches of nine bays
each, 7 ft. by 12 ft., with simple, square ribs, 10 ft.
wide, springing from the walls, without capitals, as at
Monkton. All the centre piers are gone. There was
a broad door from the court, and tnree small lights
into it, and three others on the opposite side. The
great height of the coves of the recesses of these win-
dows is unusual Thev look like chimneys ; but it is
clear they never went higher than the floor of the hall
above. That under the bow window has been ingeni-
ously carried out into it. I consider this hall to be ori-
ginaJ.
Over it, approached from the court by wide stairs
and a sumptuous porch and ante-room, is Sir Rhys s
great hall. It is about 90 ft. long, and nearly 30 ft.
broad, and had a timber, high-pitched roof, the ridge
of which was about 40 ft. from the floor. At the south
38 CAREW CASTLE.
end is an arched recess with an elaborate window at
the back, not included in the above dimensions. This
was probably the musicians' gallery ; and on the east
side of the north end was a bow window projecting into
the court. Three lights to the west, which were Early
English, were widened and filled up, both above and
below, with Perpendicular freestone. The most north-
erly yet shows the Early English jambs and seats.
Sir Rhys boldly grasped the difficult)^ caused by the
end towers not standing square. He built a new north
end wall, leaving an internal space of some feet at the
east side, running to nothing at the west, quite unoc-
cupied. This can be well seen from the rampart of the
north tower. A good-si^ed ash-tree is growing in the
space.
The alteration of the parapets is carried out all
round the inner court, and on the western towers and
their connecting wall. I think this may have been
done by Sir John ; for as I attribute the little gate-
tower and the wall on the north of it to Sir Rhys, and
these have crenellations resembling the original on the
south-east and north-east towers, I scarcely think he
would have erected one building copying the old, while
he was destroying like work elsewhere,
The chimney-stacks seem all to have been square.
If we may trust Mr. Sandby s drawings they were
embattled.
There are no signs or tradition of a well. Lead pipes
are said to have been dug up, many years ago, at
Stevens' Green, on the old-red, about a mile off, the
direction of which pointed towards the Castle.
One cannot but wonder at the selection of the site.
Sir Rhys's display at Carew is fully detailed by Mr,
Fenton ; and it was here that he was required by King
Richard III to take an oath of fidelity, and give his
son as hostage. He did not give his son, but swore
that whoever dared to land in those parts should first
paas over his body. It is not impossible that the toy
bridge connected with the little gate-tower at Carew
CAREW CASTLE. 39
was erected to enable him, without disgrace, to get
under it while King Henry VII passed over it, and
thus over Sir Rhys s body. Sir Thomas Perrot, a kins-
man of Sir Rhys, was present at his tournament, and
accompanied him, with Henry VII, from'Milford Haven
to Bosworth. Sir Thomas is alleged to have introduced
pheasants into Pembrokeshire, at Haroldstone, near
Haverford ; and it was there his reputed son, Sir John,
was born.
The connection of Sir John Perrot with Carew is
somewhat perplexing. He was made Lord President
of Munster by Queen Elizabeth in 1572, and Lord
Deputy of Ireland in 1583, dying in the Tower in Sep-
tember 1592, having been sentenced to death on the
16th of June previous; but it was said that Queen
Elizabeth would never suffer her brother to be sacrificed
to the envy of strutting adversaries. Sir John's bar
sinister seems to have been handed on by him to his
successors.
That he resided much at Carew is beyond all doubt;
but he held at the same time his house at Harold-
stone, and subsequently had Laugharne Castle. He
obtained a grant from Queen Mary of Carew Castle ;
and shortly after Elizabeth's accession created surprise
by travelling from Carew to Greenwich in less than
three days, to take command of some ships in order to
intercept certain Spanish forces ; and an inventory of
his effects is given in Arch. Camh., vol. xi (1865), p.
122, with a great deal of other very valuable informa-
tion. Yet Sir John Carew probably resided here in the
early part of the seventeenth century. He was High
Sheriff of Pembrokeshire in 1623, and was buried in
1637, under a stately tomb in Carew Church, bearing
the eflSgies of himself and his dame.
Mr. Fenton seems to think that the Tudor work
should be attributed to Sir John Carew, and not to
Sir John Perrot ; but the inventory before referred to
removes all possible doubt, reference being there made
to deal boards provided for the dining chamber of the
40 CAKEW CASTLE.
new building at Carew, and as " much glasse ready to
be set upp as will glace all the windows of the newe
buildings' .
The frequent reference to the iron chest at Carew is
very curious. It seems to have produced cash when
required, and ultimately to have been valued at 405.
It may be observed that fractions of glass and por-
tions of lead may yet be seen in some of the great
windows.
It seems difficult to see how residence at Carew was
managed, when it is remembered that there are two
halls, one over the other, nearly 100 ft. long, with two
chambers at the west end of these over 40ft.; another
magnificent hall, 86 ft. by 26 ft., with groined base-
ment under, nearly the same siae ; two others, 54 ft.
by 24 ft,, with groined basement under ; a chapel with
priest's rooms and crypt, and rich chamber over, 38 ft.
by 16 ft. ; two chambers in the south-eastern horseshoe
tower, of about the same size ; two chambers in each of
the western towers, about 18 ft. by 18 ft. ; and very
little else besides, only the chambers, for the most
part, unlighted, north of and over the entrance ; with
absolutely no place for kitchen, bakery, and offices, un-
less the basements of the round towers were so used ;
to say nothing ofstables, barracks, or bams.
Assuming that all the chambers with latrines were
other than public or almost public halls, yet the pro-
portion of hall to more domestic apartments is surpris-^
ing. It may be that the square projection on the south
side was a latrine tower. Even if it were, the accom-
modation in this respect is very limited. Neither Sir
Rhys ap Thomas nor Sir John Perrot did anything now
remaining in the sanitary line, unless it were to destroy
what previously existed, and the deficiency is most
marked when compared with earlier works.
If there were any British camps here I do not think
they would here be called *^ Caerau", as it is the Eng-
lish-speaking part of Pembrokeshire. The pronuncia-
tion is simply due to local form, — *' Care-you" (Carew),
ST. THOMAS, OVER-MONNOW. 41
By a contrary form, " Carew cwm" has become *' Crow-
combe'*. I do not believe the last has more relation to
crows than the first to camps.
I presume there were mills of old ; the present show
no signs of antiquity ; and the defence aflforded by the
tide-water is so one-sided, I scarcely think it would
have been banked back on that account, seeing that
the causeway prevents the approach of any boat with
material or other matters.
J. R. Cobb.
ST. THOMAS, OVER-MONNOW.^
The annient church of St. Thomas, Over-Monnow, may
be described as Norman ; and it seems pretty clear
that the main walls are comparatively unaltered, except
for necessary repairs to the alterations that have been
made in the windows of the nave. To take the several
points to which I may direct your attention : —
The west door is quite modern, having been first
erected in 1830. Old people telJ me that they remem-
ber the church with simply a blank west end wall
which served for the purposes of the game of base-ball.
Prior to 1830, I am told, the church was long unused,
and almost a ruin. It was then taken in hand by
Mr. Thomas Wyatt of Troy ; the west doorway built
in brick and cement, a new turret added (as shown in
photograph) in wood and plaster, and galleries built,
which, with the present pewing, were made of oak got
on the Duke of Beaufort's estate. The present west
doorway was built in stone in 1880, precisely after the
pattern of the previous doorway.
The north doorway of the nave was found, in 1880,
to be so dilapidated, as far as the iambs were con-
cerned, that they were replaced by the present ones,
as nearly as we could discover after the pattern of the
old ones. The arch of the door is, I suppose, original.
^ Notes refwJ on the visit of the Association in August 1885.
42 ST. THOMAS, OVER-MONNOW.
The chancel-door seems to be original, except that
the pediment was, in 1 874-5, replaced in Forest of Dean
stone instead of sandstone. The walls of the chancel
were then stripped, inside and out, of the whitewash
and plaster covering them. The chancel-windows on
the north side seem to be much as they have been for
a long time, although I am told originally they were
narrower outside. There is a kind of hood over the
two on the north side, which does not exist over the
original one on the south side. The second window on
the south side was added in 1874-5.
The stringcourse which existed on the north side
seems to have disappeared on the south.
The present chancel- window in east wall was erected
in 1874-5, when the whole, or nearly the whole, of
this wall seems to have been taken down. This win-
dow is the fourth I can trace. A somewhat elaborate
Gothic window, which disappeared in 1836, is shown in
a picture of the interior. This picture was bought at
Sir Charles Landseer's sale, and was picked up by acci-
dent in London, and presented to me by Mr. F. Mew,
the architect, who superintended the repairs in 1880.
On the south side there was evidently, at one time, a
large opening which has been filled up, probably in
1830. The old stone flashing is still to be seen on the
east nave-wall.
The windows of the nave were replaced in stone in
1880, precisely after the pattern of the then existing
plaster ones. Portions were found of two older win-
dows on each side, of a meaner pattern than the pre-
sent onQS, and smaller.
Inside the church we may note the old hagioscope,
rediscovered in 1874, and tne stone slab above it. The
chancel-arch is original ; the jambs, which were much
decayed, being replaced in 1874 by the present Forest
of Dean stone instead of the sandstone then existing.
There is a set-off to be noted over the chancel-arch,
east of the nave. Originally the stringcourse went all
round the chancel, but a large portion was clipped off
THE €URMARC STONE, ST. DAVID's. 43
in 1874 by the misdirected zeal of a workman. There
is an old aumbry on the south side of the sacrarium.
The chancel-roof seems to have been entirely altered
in 1874. Formerly the beams were horizontal, as the
old ones in the nave-roof now are. The ceiling of the
nave was altered in 1880, the present boarded roof
taking the place of a flat plaster one, 3 or 4 fb. lower
than the present level.
I do not know where the memorial stones in the
aisles came from, or whether they occupy the place
they always did. There have been no burials at St.
Thomas' since 1852. Up to 1844 all the Registers were
kept at St. Mary's ; since that date I have them. The
font is, I suppose, a make-up. The picture shows a
much older and ruder one.
The small cross in the churchyard was, up to 1874,
over the east wall of the chancel. The stem of it was
lengthened when it was repaired. The old cross-base,
near the inn opposite, according to Speed's map, stood
in the centre of St. Thomas' Square, and does not seem
to have been a churchyard-cross.
P. Potter.
ON THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID'S,
with observations on the introduction
OF the alpha and omega on ancient
monuments.
This carved and inscribed stone was first made known
to archaeologists in the article published by myself
in the Arch^ologia Cambrensis for 1856 (Third Series,
vol. ii, p. 50). The stone was then used as a gate-
post leading to a farmhouse called " Pen- Arthur", half
a mile to the north of St. David's, in close proximity
to two other ornamented stones which I subsequently
represented in the Lapidarium Wallice, PL 60, neither
of which bears any inscription. I have been informed
that all these three stones were originally placed around
44 THE OURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID's.
a holy well two fields distant from the Pen-Arthur
farmhouse.
Welsh archaeologists will be gratified to learn that
these three stones have been rescued from their dan-
gerous situations, where they have been long exposed
to injury by passing waggons, etc., and placed for per-
manent security in the Cathedral of St. David's by the
venerable Dean, by whose noble exertions that splen-
did edifice has been so admirably restored, and wnere,
it is hoped, that other outlying stones from the neigh-
bourhood may gradually be brought together, forming,
with others sJreadv there, a lapidary museum equal in
interest to those of Margam Abbev and Llantwit Major.
In removing these stones to St. David's it was dis-
covered that me Gurmarc Stone possessed two features
which had not been previously observed. First, that
the upper left hand angle of the face of the stone was in-
scribed with several letters, corresponding with the cAi-
rho monogram of Christ on the opposite right angle of
the stone; and second, that the reverse side of the stone
was also carved with a cruciform design. These pecu-
liarities are represented in the accompanying drawings
taken from photographs and rubbings kindly forwarded
to me by the Dean.
The newly found portion of the inscription is diffi-
cult to decipher, owing to the peculiar forms of the let-
ters and the partial abrasion of the stone. It com-
mences with a large capital A with a long straight bar
across the top of the letter, and the middle cross-bar
angulated like a small v. This is an early, well known
form of the first letter of the alphabet, and it is followed
by an angulated stroke with a slight, recurved stroke
at its bottom ; which, however, may possibly be the
bottom of the second stroke of the initial a. Then
follow three upright strokes looped together at the
bottom, like a small m turned upside down (oi). This
is followed by a single straight stroke, i ; and then
there is a broken space caused by the partial scaling ofi
of the surface of the stone, but in which may be very
THE GURMARC 8T0NK, ST. DAVIDS.
THE GURMABC STONE, ST. DAVID 8.
45
faintly traced the form of an h ; and then there is
clearly a large s, agreeing with the terminal s of the
right upper angle of the stone.
Now in usual conjunction with the Greek contraction,
^)9, of the name of Christ, we find the Greek, or rather
Graeco-Latin, form of the name ofJesus, IH20T2, con-
tracted first into IH2 or IHC or iTTS, and subsequently
into ihs (which also form the initials of the woras
"lesus hominum Salvator", adopted as the motto of
the Jesuits) ; and we accordingly arrive at the conclu-
sion that the latter half of the newly discovered part
of the Gurmarc inscription represents the ihs.
Rerene of the Gurmaro Stont.
Moreover, in many veiy ancient stones and MSS.
we also find the names of J esus Christ accompanied by
46
THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID S.
the Alpha and Omega, according to the passage in the
first chapter of the Revelations, v, 8. Here then we find,
first, the capital A of the ancient form, for Alpha ;
second, a mark which corresponds with the well-known
7-shaped contraction in MSS. of the word et (and), and
then a letter which represents the ancient double w
form of the Omega (co) instead of the more ancient form
(n). We, therefore, thus obtain the formula. Alpha et
Omega, ihs and yp^.
The Glendaloagh Stono.
The introduction of the initials of the names of the
Saviour, or of the Alpha and Omega, at the top of
THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID's. 47
Christian inscriptions appears to have been an evident
imitation of the ancient Roman formula, d. m. {diis
ftmnibus), applied in similar situations. It is of the
greatest i-arity in our Christian lapidary monuments,
and there is no other instance of the employment of
the Alpha and Omega in conjunction with the iFs and
Xp<; in Wales than the one now found. In Ireland, one
instance of such conjoined forms only is known, which
has been published in the Journal of the Royal Histo-
rical and ArchsBological Association of Ireland (vol. iv,
Fourth Series, Jan. 1883, No. 53, p. 43), found during
some works at Glendalough in 1875, of which the pre-
ceding is a drawing ; from which it will be seen that
the Sr, xp^ ^^® preceded by two characters which the
author, the Rev. James Graves, gives, together with
the three others, as being in almost pure Greek charac-
ters, and as representing A and ©, and as belonging to
the eighth or ninth century (p. 44), " whilst the archaic
form of the Omega would seem to point to even an
earlier date." This letter is combined above with the
contraction* for et ; and when separated from this con-
traction it is, as here used, carved in many third and
fourth century inscriptions in the Catacombs at Rome.*
The Bishop of Limerick remarks on this Glendalough
Stone : " I have not met with an example that I can
recollect of the use of the form of Omega, which occurs
on this slab of Bresal, at a period more recent than the
fourth century. I saw one instance of about that date
on a Christian monument in Africa ; but we must re-
member that ecclesiastical fashions of all kinds esta-
^ " Bean Keeves reads it thus, * et tiy% and not as a simple w. The
f is equal to et, and so i equal to ' et w\ The line marking the con-
traction is seen above." (Footnote, p. 44.)
^ The Benedictines give numerous instances of the introduction
of the A and w upon coins, diplomas, charters (especially at the
headings), etc., in the Nouv, Traite de Diplomatique^ vol. ii, pp. 5G9,
582, 616, and elsewhere. In vol. iii, PI. 37, v, i, they also give a
representation, from a MS. of sermons of St. Augustine, etc., of the
seventh or eighth century (which afterwards became common) of a
cross from the arms of which are suspended the two letters a and w.
48 THE GUEMARC STONE, ST. DAVID'S.
blished themselves at a later period, and continued to
prevail down to a later date in Ireland, than in Borne
or other places to the east of us. As the Omega you
have found on the Glendalough slab seems to be unique,
I dare say you are right in regarding it as copied from
a Greek Mo. which happened to be in the hands of the
ecclesiastics living there." (Op. cit, p. 47.)
In The Book of Armagh ^ a famous MS. in the Library
of the Royal Irish Academy, the passage from the Apo-
calypse reads, " Ego sum alfa et «"; and in the Codex,
A. 4, 15, in Trinity College, Dublin, Library, there is a
drawing with a ^«, the middle monogram representing
the contraction xp* ; the x being here formed by a hori-
zontal bar crossing the upright stroke of the cross,
which was a frequent form of the Chi; whilst the Rho
appears above the bar, and the I is formed of the lower
part of the vertical stroke of the cross. This is the real
meaning of the -f; so that it is not equivalent to xp9,
as stated by the author (p. 46) and by most other
writers. In such cases the prefix in nomine (Christi)
is understood, especially at the beginning of early
charters.
It is remarkable that whilst in very many of the early
coins of the French monarchy^ we find the reverse of the
pieces marked with the cross, accompanied in that of
Clovis I with the A and fl, in that of Dagobertus with
ft and A ; and even in that of the Capetian King,
Robert, the A and ft are still used, each being suspended
by a ribbon from above ; whilst in more numerous
instances the cross is accompanied with either a M or
M A, which unquestionably represent Alpha and Omega,
the M being intended for an angulated w turned upside
down. It is still, however, more remarkable that there
is not a single instance in the many hundreds of Anglo-
Saxon coins figured in Ruding's Annals^ in which
either the A andco or ft, or the ih? or ^p? at'o introduced ;
^ See fignres of the -earlj French coins, published by Lenoir
(Monumens de la France ; fol., 1840), and in the first volnme of
Madame de Witt's recently published Le$ Ghroniqtiere de France,
THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVIDS. 49
the only Christian emblems which I can discover
amongst them being the Chi, Rho, and Iota conjoined
X in the usual form on the reverse of the coins of Coel-
noth. Archbishop of Canterbury (Ruding, PI. 13) and
of Athelwulf {Ibid., PL 30) ; and the hand of God ex-
tended out of a cloud on the reverse of the coins of
^thelred, either with all the fingers extended, or with
only the thumb and first two fingers, in the act of
benediction. (Ruding, PL 22.) On a vast number of
the Anglo-Saxon coins, however, there is in the centre
a small cross with four equal arms, which seems placed
there, however, only to fill a blank space.
With reference to the relative ages of the objects
inscribed with the il or its equivalent, CO, it must be
borne in mind that whilst the former shape of the let-
ter occurs in the oldest Greek inscriptions several cen-
turies before Christ (see the fii'st four Plates of the
Palaeographical Society's facsimiles), it is never found
in MSS. after the birth of Christ, being universally
supplanted by the CO. In modern printed books the h
is used as a capital letter, and the w simply as a minus-
cule. I only know one instance (given by Boldetti,
351, MunteVy Sinnbildery i, p. 85) in which the fl ap-
pears for Omega at the side of the labarum.
In Wales there is only another instance in which the
ihs and XP? appeared together, namely on the Stone of
St. Gwnnws, still standing in the churchyard of Llan-
wnnws, Cardiganshire {Lap. Wall., PI. 68) ; on which,
however, there is now only the x/09 remaining at the
top right a igle of the stone ; the left angle, where,
doubtless, the ihs existed, being broken off.^ The
Christian monogram is very similar to that employed
upon the unique Irish inscribed stone from Glendalough,
described and figured above. The upper line of the
inscription on the Glendalough Stone is to be read —
"oii[oit]do bresal"; that is, a prayer for Bresal.
^ The xps is omitted by Professor Hiibner (Christian Inscriptions
of Britain^ p. 42. No. 122), to whom I sent a copy ot the stone, as
well as by Prof. Rhys {Arch. Camb., 1874, p. 246).
5tI1 6KK., VOL. III. 4
60 THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID's.
I believe the first character of the lower line on
the Glendalough Stone is intended for an Alpha, of
which the v-shaped cross-bar, usual in early forms of
the Alpha, is replaced by the two middle, detached,
vertical strokes.
It will be noticed that the monogram of "Christus**
on the Glendalough Stone terminates with a recumbent
8 ( CO ), respecting which the Bishop of Limerick remarks
that he " takes it to be meant for an s, which itself
stands for the Greek Sigma. So the s in IHS stands for
the Greek 2 (Sigma), the fourth letterfthird and last let-
ters] of the name of Our Lord" (p. 47). In this unusual
position the letter is, however, simply an s, either fan-
cifully, or with the intention of fiUing up a space, laid
prostrate. See the figure of the Gurdon Stone (Lap.
Wall, PI. 35, fig. 2), in which the two letters s in the
word " sacerdos" are thus written ; also the two letters
s in the inscription of the Newcastle coffin-lid {op. cit.^
PI. 31, fig. 4) ; and several other instances are given in
N. Tr. de Diplomat., t. ii, PI. 25 ; vii, v, 2, 3, 5.
There is still one other inscribed stone in Ireland
which gives the vq^ v/d?, namely the sepulchral slab of
Berichtuire at TuUy lease in the county of Cork.^ This
is much more elaborately ornamented than the majority
of the Irish gravestones given by Miss Stokes, and
more nearly resembles some of the Scotch stones. The
formula of the inscription is also unique in the Irish
stones, and more like that of the Llanwnnws Stone ;
whilst in the upper right hand angle appears the let-
ters 'xp^\ the corresponding left angle being cut oflf,
apparently intentionally (as in the Llanwnnws Stone),
on which was, doubtless, the monogram ihs.
In Scotland, I believe, the only instance of the intro-
duction of the "A et CO" occurs at the top of one of the
Kirkmadrine Stones (Stuart, Sculptured Stones of Scot-
land, ii, PI. Ixxi, p. 35) ; the letter Omega is much
^ Miss Stokes' Chrisiiaji Inscriptions in the Irish Language, vol. ii,
PI. 30.
THE GURMARC STONE, ST. DAVID's. 51
defaced, but the two loops at the bottom of the co are
clearly visible, — a point of importance, with reference
to the supposed age of the stone, founded on the form
of this letter, as insisted upon by the Bishop of Lime-
rick (p. 47). Below these letters the stone bears the
monogram, f , inscribed within a circle ; equivalent to
the Clii (written vertically), Rho, and Iota, and not to
the XP9.
In England instances of the employment of the Alpha
and Omega are extremely rare, and seem confined to
the north of England, and of a very early date. Two
small sepulchral stones were dug up in the cemetery of
the old church of St. Hilda, Hartlepool, on one of
which, inscribed in Runic letters with the name Hil-
dethryth, on the sides of an incised cross, above the
arms of which are the A formed as in the Gurmarc
Stone, and the Omega formed of a circle divided down
the middle by a straight vertical line, evidently in-
tended for an m rather than H. Precisely the same
formed letters occur on the other stone, inscribed with
the name Berchtgyd. A fragment of another small
sepulchral stone was also found in the restoration of
Billingham Church, Durham ; in the centre of which is
a space, on the left side of the stone, inscribed with a
large A ; the right hand side of the stone (broken off)
having, doubtless, the Omega. The inscription round
the edge of the stone, "Orate pro", is in Anglo-Saxon
uncial letters, and, as well as those of the Hartlepool
stones, may be referred to the seventh century. (Hiib-
ner, Iiiscr. Brit. Christ, pp. 69, 70, 72.) Hlibner also
{ibid., p. 80) notices two small pewter masses found in
the lliames, one of which is stamped with the labarum,
X, within a circle, from the upper arms of which are
suspended what appear to be the letters A and fl, repre-
senting the Alpha and Omega described by the late
Mr. A. Way and Mr. Franks.
It remains to be mentioned that the reverse side of
the Gurmarc Stone is occupied with an incised cross
not quite like any other figured in the Lapidaritim
52 EFFIGY IN BANGOR CATHEDRAL.
WuU'kp, l)ein<^ formed with the four limbs of nearly
equal length, and of double incised lines united by a
double circular bar, in the manner of the Irish crosses,
the extremity of each limb of the cross extending
beyond the outer circle.
I. O. West WOOD.
Oxford. January 1886.
EFFIGY IN BANGOR CATHEDRAL.
During the process of restoration that went on in 1879
there was discovered under the floor of the Chapter
House, and surrounded by burnt wood (probably the
remains of the ruin wrought by Owen Glyndwr in
1404), the eflBgy, of which we are enabled, through the
kindness of the Editor of the Proceedings of the Royal
ArchcBological Institute, U> give the accompanying illus-
tration and description.
At the meeting of the Institute on February 5th,
1880, Mr. Albert Hartshorne exhibited a photograph of
an effigy, in low relief, of a lady, which he described as
*' habited, like Queen Philippa, in a square head-dress,
a wimple, and a long gown with pockets in front, and
fastened with innumerable buttons down to the feet,
and having l(»ng pendent sleeves. The hands are raised
to the shoulders, palms outward ; an attitude of speci-
ally earnest supplication very unusual in monumental
sculpture, and such as may be seen in a modified form
in the effigy of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.
The close sleeves of the cote are shown, buttoned with
oriental profusion ; and from the left hand is suspended
a set of praying beads, in connection with which are
five circular brooches, by which the beads are appa-
rently kept in position. On the verge of the slab is the
following inscription, in Lombardic letters, * . . ic iacet
eva qve fvit vx anvel cvivs anima propiciet '
Full-sized or principal effigies are rarely represented
KFFIGT IN BANCO R CATHEDRAL.
EFFIGY IN BANGOK CATHEDRAL. 53
with beads, though these accessories of devotion are
frequent enough in the hands of * weepers' on the sides
of high tombs. Isabella, wife of the first Sir John
Spencer, carries beads in her effigy at Great Brington,
Northamptonshire, and so does the pilgrim Hcistings at
Ashby de la Zouohe, as well as an unknown lady in
Lutterworth Church.
" We are indebted to the obliging courtesy of the
Rev. C. F. R. Palmer for the following notes upon the
effigy at Bangor :
"*The position of the hands is that miiversally
adopted in the earliest ages of the Church, as is seen in
all the * Orantes' portrayed on the walls of the Roman
Catacombs. It is still retained by the priest in the
most solemn parts of the Mass, and prevails extensively
on the Continent and in Ireland, especially among the
lower classes of people. It seems to be the most natu-
ral and most earnest mode of raising the hands in
prayer. It has never been discountenanced, and even
continues to be recommended in the Franciscan Order.
" * With regard to the beads, presuming that the
effigy has a Paternoster bead (usually superior in mate-
rial and workmanship to the rest) in the fingers, there
are foui*teen sets of one Pater and seven Aves each.
There are, therefore, fourteen Paternosters and ninety-
eight Aves ; and the two beads projecting half way
down the string, to the left, seem to have been added
to make up the round number of a hundred Aves.
** * Now the * Joys and Sorrows of Our Lady' formed
a very favourite devotion with our forefathers. The
* Seven Joys', as enumerated by St. Thomas k Becket
in his well known Latin hymn, were, the Conception,
the Birth, the Adoration of the Wise Men, the Finding
in the Temple, the Resurrection, the Ascension, and
the Assumption. Fabian wrote his Chronicle divided
into seven parts, each part dedicated to one of the Joys.
Still much variation exists in the number of the Joys,
the Adoration and the Finding being very frequently
omitted, so as to reduce the number to five, correspond-
I"
54 EFFIGY IN BANGOR CATHEDRAL.
ing with the five wounds of Our Lord. The * Seven
Dolours' were — the Prophecy of Simeon, the Flight into
Egypt, the Loss of Jesus in the Temple, the Fall of
Jesus under the Cross in going up to Calvary, the Cru-
cifixion, the Piercing of His Side, and the Burial
" ' Thus we should have a probable explanation of
these beads. But there were innumerable devotions
attached to the beads. The religious orders, especially
the Mendicants, had each their particular beads, and
even separate religious houses aflfected some peculiarity
in this matter. I think the number seven was selected
as that connected with so many notable Christian mys-
teries and doctrines.
" * With regard to the five brooches, they may have
either been appended ornaments, as is not uncommon
with rosaries at the present day, or have served to
mark lengths in the beads for the purpose of adapting
them to various devotional uses. But what those uses
were remains to be investigated.'"
" The unknown lady in Lutterworth Church", above
referred to, was described by Mr. M. H. Bloxam as
*' represented cumbent, on the left of her husband, clad
in a long, loose gown with a mantle over, fastened
across the breast by a cordon with pendent tassels, the
cordon being affixed on either side to a lozenge-shaped
fermail. The sleeves of the gown are full, but drawn
up, and cuffed at the wrists ; the veiled head-dress, or
coverchief, is worn ; and the head reposes on a double
cushion, supported by angels. On the left side of the
gown is a string of beads, or par precum. The period
to which this monument may be fairly assigned is some
time in the latter half of the fifteenth century."
Mr. Bloxam writes to say that he considers the Ban-
gor effigy to be " the work of the same sculptor who in
the fourteenth century executed the monumental effigy
of King Pabo in Llanbabo Church, Anglesey, described
and illustrated by him in Arch. Ca7n6.( 1874, 4th Series,
vol. V, p. 110), and that of St. Jestyn in Llaniestyn
Church, in the same county, and described i6ic?.,p. 217.
55
NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES IiT THE
FOUR WELSH DIOCESES.
BT THE LATE
SiE STEPHEN RICHARD GLYNNE, Bart.
(Continued from voL «,/). 219.)
THE RURAL DEANERY OF CASTLE MARTIN.
COSHESTON (ST. MICHAEL).
COSHESTON
1842.
This church is in a striking and elevated situation,
commanding a view ove^- Milford Rpvpfi. It consists
56 NOTES ON THE OLDER OHUKCHES
of a west tower, nave with north aisle, south transept,
and chancel. The steeple is curious, — a small, square
embattled tower set over the west end, upon a kind of
bracket, and surmounted by a small octagonal spire of
stone. There is a kind of billet-cornice below the bat-
tlement ; the belfry windows quite open, and of rude
work ; two on the east side, and one on each of the
others. On the north side of the tower is a door by
which there is an ascent to the steeple by rude stone
steps outside the roof, there being rude stepping^tones
against (projecting from) the wall. The whole of the
external walls seem to have been rebuilt in a poor
style. There are two oddly shaped, wide arches, much
flattened between the nave and aisle. The pier seems
to have been originally large, square, and solid, but is
altered into an octagonal form. The windows were
probably originally quite small. There is an arch to
the transept, resembling those on the north side. The
exterior is neat, but devoid of interest. The chancel
has open seats and a modem Gothic reredos.^
LAMPHEY.
24 Oct 1845.
This church consists of a wide nave without aisles,
north transept, and chancel, with a west tower. The
tower is of a kind very common in the south-western
part of Pembrokesliire, but not elsewhere. The charac-
ter is more that of military or castellated architecture.
This particular instance is lofty, and tapering towards
the top, without buttresses or stringcourses dividing
the different stories. There is an embattled par^^pet,
and below it a corbel-table. The belfry-winaows on
the east and west are double, with obtuse heads ; the
others single. At the north-east angle is a square tur-
ret with stairs ; the west doorway plain and pointed ;
over it a window modernised. The lower part of the
^ This church has been put into good repair in the year 1885.
The Rector, the Rdv. T. G. Cree, had well restored the chancel some
years previously.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 57
tower has a very curious, plain stone vault within,
forming a rudely shaped arch. The style of this and
similar towers is apparently Early English, though this
may not be a matter of certainty. The north door is
closed, and the south porch made into a vestry. The
windows of the nave are all modernised, with sashes ;
the ceiling also modem. There is a small chapel on
the south (now made into a pew), opening by a very
rude and low obtuse arch. In the south wall is some
trace of the rood-door. The north transept opens to
the nave by a singular, imperfect arch (about three
parts of a segmental arch) abutting against the east
wall ; and from the transept into the chancel is a
pointed, clumsily shaped hagioscope. The chancel-arch
IS plain and obtuse, without mouldings. There are
some good Early English lancet-windows in the chan-
cel ; on the north three, with good mouldings ; on the
south, one ; all having external as well as internal
mouldings. On the south of the altar is a piscina with
mouldings and dripstone. The font has a circular bowl
with a curious ornamental paneling round the top, and
scolloped below ; the stem circular, with a cable-
moulding round it, and square base. The pulpit is
within the chancel-arch, obstructing the altar. At the
west end is a finger-organ in a gallery.
ST. FLORENCE,
21 Oct. 1845.
This church has a nave, north transept, tower placed
on the south side, and a chancel, with south chapel
(now divided off), and a vestry on the north. The
church follows the style and peculiar arrangement so
prevalent in the west of Pembrokeshire. The nave is
wide, and there is a large south porch, within which is
a benatura, near the door, and a plain, rude niche over
it. On the south of the nave is one lancet. At the
west end is a late square-headed window, lately re-
stored. The tower, as usual, tapers, and is without
58 NOTES ON THE OLDER CflUECHES
any divisions by strings or buttresses. At the south-
east is a square turret, and the whole has the common
battlement. On the south side, in the lower part, is
a lancet, and no other openings but the belfiy- windows,
which are double on the south and west, with obtuse
heads ; on the north with square heads, and no arch ;
on the east a single narrow slit. The tower is, in its
lower part, rudely vaulted in stone, and forms a tran-
sept, the arch being of rude and clumsy pointed form.
On the west side, within the tower, are two rude
arches formed in the wall. On the east side is a recess
which seems once to have opened into the south aisle
of the chancel, near which is a rude arch, possibly once
the entrance to the rood-steps ; and another low,
pointed recess in the wall. The north transept opens
by a rude, pointed arch, and contains some stone
brackets. The chancel is vaulted in stone, and its arch
very plain, springing straight from the wall on each
side. Between the chancel and the chapel, or aisle on
the south, are two oddly shaped, depressed arches,
very plain and coarse, with a circular pier having an
impost moulding and no base. In the eastern respond
is a square recess. There is a pointed doorway on the
north side. The east window has three lancets within
a general arch of pointed form. On the north of the
chancel, adjoining the chancel-arch, is a rudely shaped,
pointed arch formed in the vault, apparently forming
a kind of chapel, and lighted by a lancet. There are
stone brackets, which must have supported the rood-
loft. In the north transept is a two-light Decorated
window without foils. The font has a square bowl,
scolloped below, on a low cylinder with square base.
There is no west door. The south chancel-aisle has no
windows, and the roof is a continued slope from the chan-
cel. The whole church is rude and singular, but a fair
specimen of the style of the west of Pembrokeshire.^
^ This church was re-roofed and repaired during the incumbency
of the Rev. George William Birkett, who carefully preserved its ori-
ginal features.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 59
GUMFRE8T0N.
24 Oct. 1845.
This church is very much of the same character as
the last. The plan is a nave with very large west
porch ; a tower on the north of the nave, forming a
transept ; and a small, low chancel with south chapel.
The chief peculiarities here are the large western porch
and a curious semicircular projection on the north side
of the nave, which externally presents two stages
roofed. What purpose it can have answered it is im-
possible to determine. The porch has more the appear-
ance of a chapel ; is very strongly built, and vaulted
in stone, with stone seats against the sides. The doors
are very plain, and pointed. Over the inner door is
the trace of a niche, and there is an octagonal bena-
tura in the angle. Over the outer entrance is a narrow
slit, not glazed. This church is particularly deficient
in windows: there is not one on the north of the nave;
on the south are a few late, square-headed ones ; but
no door on either side. The ivy grows most luxuri-
antly on the south wall. The tower is smaller than
that of St. Florence, and tapers very perceptibly. It
has a battlement, and corbel-table below; but, as usual,
no stringcourses nor buttresses. The stair-turret is
square at the north-east comer. There are several
square-headed, narrow openings on the north side, one
on the west. The belfry-windows are double, narrow,
and with square heads. Within, the tower has a
strong, stone-vaulted roof, forming a transept, and
opening to the nave by the usual rude, ill formed,
pointed arch. Against the east wall, within the tower,
is a flat-arched recess, within which is a kind of altar,
which, in such a situation, could scarcely have been a
tomb. On the same side is also a wide hagioscope into
the chancel. In the west wall is also a flat-arched
recess, more probably for a tomb. The chancel-arch is
low and obtuse, resting on imposts ; and there is an
odd arch on the north, by which the hagioscope opens
60 NOTKS ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
into the chancel. The east window is a very bad
modern one. The south chapel is now used as a vestry,
and opens to the chancel by a low, plain, pointed arch.
The roof is curiously groined, with rude stone ribs,
without mouldinj^s, crossing each other, and without
boss or shafts. The font resembles that of St. Florence.^
HODGESTON.
Aug. 21, 1851.
This church has a nave and large chancel, with
western tower, but no porch. There is a curious con-
trast between the fine Middle Pointed chancel and the
rude Pembrokeshire nave and tower. The chancel is
almost of equal length with the nave, and has unluckily
been much mutilated ; but it presents a very good
specimen of Middle Pointed, unusual in this part of
the country. The windows (two on each side) are un-
happily now closed, but are each of two lights. The
east window is a wretched modem one. There is a
string, internally, beneath the windows, and along the
south side of the chancel runs a stone bench. There is
also a curious cornice of flowers, in stone, just beneath
the chancel-roof; which is now a very poor one of
wood, but probably a stone one was intended. The
grand feature of the chancel are the beautiful sedilia,
three in number, with ogee canopies, crocketed, ^nd
finialed with intermediate pinnacles, and a cornice of
ball-flower. The canopies have trefoil feathering, and
the shafts between them are octagonal. These are set
rather farther westward than usual, and one of the
windows is placed between them and the piscina. The
piscina has a double ogee-head much like the sedilia,
and very rich finials. Against the east wall is a bracket
of stone. The chancel-arch is a rude pointed one.
Westward of it is part of a stone fence. The steps to
^ Some ycara since, during the incumbency of the Rev. G. N.
Smith, the font was appropriately placed in the semicircular recess
towards the west end of the north wall of the nave.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCRSRS.
61
the rood-loft are curiously arranged against the south
wall of the chancel, ascending from the east straight,
but quite narrow. The nave is vaulted, and has no
windows on the north. The tower is small and oblong,
vaulted inside, without battlement or buttress, but
having a corbel- table and a stair- turret attached to the
north side. The eastern belfry-face has double win-
Se lilia^ Hodgeston Cburcb.
dow with circular heads ; the western, a double square-
headed one ; and there are some other slit openings.
There are stone benches within the tower, against the
north and south walls, and the vault and arch to the
nave are very rude. The font has a square bowl, scol-
loped below, upon a cylindrical stem. The pews are
painted blue.^
^ Tn their History of St. David's, at p. 207, Jones and Freeman
notice the sediiia and piscina in this church as having the general
62
NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
^'^^fi^-^-^'/.-^i^^^i^^::::—
Ks -— :7'^•■■*^'uc^♦«•.;-
CASTLEMARTIN.
CASTLE MARTIN.
August 1851.
An interesting church, perhaps one of the most cha-
racteristic in the district. The plan comprises a nave
with north aisle, chancel, a tower on the south of the
nave (forming a transept in its lower stage), and a
large south porch. There has also been an aisle or
chapel on the north of the chancel, and a north tran-
sept. There appear those features which are so pecu-
liar to the English districts of Pembrokeshire, and
which are the more strongly marked on the south of
Milford Haven. The tower is tall and tapering, but
very strongly built, without stringcourse, but with
battlement and corbel-table. The west parapet is
slightly gabled. The belfry-windows on the north,
effect of Bishop Gower's style. See also observations by Mr. Free-
man to the same effect, at greater length, in Arch, Camb.^ 1852, p.
185. A subscription set on foot at the close of the Tenby Meeting,
for the restoration of the chancel {Arch. Canib,^ 1851, p. 388), re-
sulted in the restoration of the entire church.
IN THE POUR WELSH DIOCESES. 63
east, and west are mere slits ; that on the south a
double lancet with central shaft. The west end pre-
sents two nearly equal gables. There are lancet win-
dows on the south side of the nave, and altogether
much that bespeaks the First Pointed period.
The interior is striking, and might, with careful
restoration, be made to have a very solemn effect. The
arcade of the nave is curious, has four pointed arches
with square piers chamfered, each having attached in
front a shaft with rude capital. The nave and aisle are
each wide, and nearly equal in breadth. The tower
ranges with the eastern bay of the arcade, opens to
the nave by a rude arch of pointed form, and the lower
part has the usual coarse vault. It has a lancet
window, now filled with obituary glass. The roof in
the nave is open, but very plain. There are some stone
corbels in the wall over the tower-arch. The arrange-
ment of pews is awkward, though the arcade is left
free. The chancel-arch is low and obtuse ; the chancel
long, and from the unevenness of the ground has a
considerable ascent towards the east. On its south
side are seen two pointed arches in the wall, with a-
corbel at the point whence these spring, and an octa-
gonal pillar with rude, overhanging capital, marking
the former existence of an aisle. The east window,
which has been restored, has three trefoil-headed lan-
cets contained under a flat arch, recently filled with
stained glass representing SS. Peter, James, and John.
On the north-east and south-east are lancets, one
closed; and on the south are three sedilia, each spring-
ing from rude corbels or capitals, but without shafts.
Eastward is a plain piscina, nearly triangular. The
font has a circular, cup-shaped bowl, much like a
cushion-capital, with a kind of scolloping at the upper
part ; the stem cylindrical, on a square plinth. Most
of the windows have, unfortunately, been transformed
into sashes ; but some laudable maprovements have
been effected, and more, perhaps, will follow. The
porch is extremely large, more resembling a chapel, but
64 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
is disused, and a modem door opened in the centre of
the west front, whereby the arrangement is mucb dis-
turbed, and a wrong effect produced. The ground in
the churchyard is most uneven, and on the north rises
almost to the roof of the church. There is the trace of
a pointed roof seen on the east wall of the tower.
In the churchyard is the base of a cross. The sacra-
rium is large, and laid with polished tiles.
Near the east end of the cnurchyard is the old Vicar-
age, now a parish school ; a curious, ancient building,
in which appear two arches springing from a central
cylindrical column.^
WARREN (ST. MARY).
Aagust 1851.
Another of the peculiar Pembrokeshire style of
church, but differing in arrangement materially from
Castle Martin. It comprises a chancel, nave, south
transept, porch, and a western tower with stone spire.
The tower and spire seem to be Third Pointed ; the
tower large and lofty, without strings of division, but
with stair- turret at the north-west. There is neither
buttress nor battlement, but a corbel-table near the
top ; the west door closed ; the basement spreads out-
ward ; the west window Third Pointed, and labelled ;
the belfry-v ' dows are single, narrow lights, and there
is another i i of lancet opening on the north. The
spire is not lofty in proportion to the tower ; is octa-
gonal, but not ribbed. Its only openings are a series
of single lights; one on each face, round the lower part.
The lower part of the tower has within a plain vault ;
and a modern wall has been added between it and the
nave, perhaps for additional strength. There appears
to hav^e been once an aisle or chapel on the north. The
chancel inclines considerably from the line of the nave
' Of the old Vicarage above, and of this and of other churches
flescribod in this series, see Mr. Freeman's notice in his article on
the architectural antiquities of South Pembrokeshire, Arch, Camb.^
1852, pp. 161-202.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES.
65
to the north. The chancel-arch is a very rude, mis-
shapen one, which can hardly be in its original state.
To the north of it is an arched recess in the wall, per-
haps a ha^oscope. There are stone corbels inside the
nave, on the north. The south transept and the porch
are vaulted. Most of the windows are frightfully
modernised ; but there is a closed lancet at the south-
WARREN
east of the chancel, and another at the north-east. The
chancel is long, and well developed. There was once
an aisle or chapel on its south side, opening to it by a
Pointed arch, and by another to the transept. The
sacrarium is large. There are some stone brackets in
it. The nave has rather a desolate look, and is pewed.
The font has a square bowl upon a cylindrical stem,
5th skr., vou iir. 5
66 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
which stands on two square steps. The porch has
plain, pointed doors.
There are a holy well in the churchyard, on the west
of the tower, and the steps on which once stood a cross,
on the south.
STACKPOLE ELIDYR, ALIAS CHERITON (ST. ELIDYR
AND ST. JAMES).
Sept. 1, 1851.
This church differs in plan from both the last men-
tioned, but has the same local characteristics. It is
now undergoing complete restoration, and partial re-
building, under the direction of Mr. Scott. The plan
consists of a chancel with south chapel, a nave and
transepts, with a tower placed at the north end of the
north transept. The tower tapers, and is without
either stringcourse or battlement, but has a corbel-
table near the top ; the belfiy-windows single and
narrow. The lower part, as usual, is vaulted within.
There is a staircase from within to the tower. The
arches to the transepts are plain and pointed ; that to
the chancel is round. There are hagioscopes on the
north and south, from the transepts into the chancel ;
that on the south is oblique, and reaches to the ground;
that on the north is straight, and has a depressed arch.
The chancel opens to the south chapel by a wide, ob-
tuse arch upon imposts. This chapel has a stone vault
with very plain, unmoulded ribs. At its east end is a
curious, original stone altar in a perfect state, on which
are some characters, apparently Ogham. There is also
a trefoiled piscina. In this chapel is a very fine monu-
mental efiigy of a cross-legged knight, under a fine
ogee, crocketed canopy in the wall. This canopy has
flowered mouldings, and spandrels occupied by flowers,
and a baU-flowered moulding, all of elegant Middle
Pointed character. There are also two eflSgies of ladies;
and on a paneled altar-tomb, now mutilated, the figures
of a man and woman under trefoiled arches. The win-
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 67
dow at the east end of the chapel is square-headed, of
two lights, and Middle Pointed, lately restored. Those
of the nave, which are restored, are similar. There is
one cinquefoiled, narrow window in the north transept.
The font is octagonal, paneled.
The situation is beautifiil, in a lonely, woody valley ;
the churchyard shaded by fine trees, and much secluded.
On the north side the ground is very uneven, and rises
high, so as to give a curious eflFect to the position of
the tower.
There is the shaft of a cross upon three high steps.^
DEANERY OF NARBEETH.
AMROTH.
23 Oct. 1846.
This is a curious Pembrokeshire church consisting of
a nave with a singular western vestibule or galilee, a
tower forming a north transept, a south transept,
and a chancel with north aisle. The tower is of tne
usual kind, embattled, with a block-cornice under it,
and a square turret at the south-east. The belfry-
windows are narrow and rude. The exterior has a
rude appearance, and is partly whitewashed. The vesti-
^ Tlie altar, with its inscribed slab, in the chantrj sonth of the
chancel, is given at p. 109 of Westwood's Lapidarium WaUice, The
effigy with its crocketed canopy, mentioned above as being in this
chantry, lies in the north wall of the chancel, in what appears to
have been its original position. The cist beneath, containing the
skeleton of (as may be confidently supposed) Sir Elidyr de Stack-
pole, was fonnd in 1851 or 1852, when the exterior face of the wall
was rebnilt. After the restoration of this chorch, that of the
churches of St. Petrox, Bosherston, St. Twinnel's, Warren, and
Castle Martin (all within the Stackpole estate), were undertaken in
saccession by the Earl Cawdor, the Association's President in 1851,
and of whom there is a brief notice in the obituary at p. 80 of Arch.
Camh.j 1861, Third Series, vol. vii.
5«
68 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHUKCHES
bule, westward of the nave, is of lower elevation, and
opens to it by a rude, plain, pointed arch without im-
post mouldings. The nave has a coved roof, plastered,
and the arch opening from it to the south transept
is of a plain. Pointed form. The tower contains a
two-light window, of trefoil lights and square head,
apparently Perpendicular. The chancel-arch is de-
pressed, and ruae in form, set upon imposts. On the
south side of the chancel is a very flat arch in the wall,
which seems to have once communicated with an aisle
or chapel. The chancel is divided from a north aisle
by an odd-shaped, flattened arch ; and there is a simi-
lar one between the tower and the nave, and between
the north chancel-aisle and the tower. The north
chancel-aisle is raised on an ascent of three steps, and
forms the burying-place of the Biddulph family. In
its wall is a pointed, arched recess, probably a piscina.
The east window of the chancel, and also that of the
north chancel-aisle, are Perpendicular. The other win-
dows are wretched modern insertions. The interior is
damp, and vilely pewed. The font seems Norman, hav-
ing a square bowl, with some, curious, sculptured foli-
age, upon a square stem and plinth.
In the churchyard is a cross. The tower has three
bells.^
BEGELLY.
20 Sept. 1847.
Has much of the general character of the district.
The plan is a west tower, nave, and chancel, with a
north aisle ranging alonff the eastern portion only, and
a small transeptal chapel and porch on the south. The
^ This churcli was put into good repair early in the incumbency
of the present Vicar, the Rev. W. D. Phillips, who was instituted in
1850. Mr. Biddulph, whose wife and two children lie in the north
chancel -aisle, owned Amroth Castle from 1832-40, and resided in it.
The Castle, which, although much modernised, retains distinct traoea
of mediaBval features, had, centuries since, a considerable estate
attached to it, possessed by the Barrets of Pendine, from whom it
passed by marriage to a family of distinction named Elliot.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 69
tower Is taJl and rude, tapering, with a clumsy battle-
ment, and no stringcourse. At the north-east angle is
a stair-turret. The belfiy-windows, of two lights, are
varying, pointed, and square-headed. On the west side
is a doorway with plain arch, and label over it. The
lower part of the tower is rudely vaulted in stone, as
at Lamphey, opening to the nave by a clumsily formed
arch. The b^jse, as in the neighbouring Welsh towers,
bulges out. The chancel-arch is pointed, with mould-
ings. In the north-east angle is the rood-door, and the
steps remain. The portion of the north aisle which is
west of the chancel-arch has a large piece of solid wall
to the nave, with one very plain, misshapen, pointed
arch. From the chancel this aisle is divided by two
low, plain. Pointed arches, with a central, circular pil-
lar of slender form. The transept opens also by a low,
plain arch of similar form. The chancel is lower than
the nave. On the south is a large lancet window. The
east window is Middle Pointed, of two lights. In the
north chapel the east window is square-headed. On
the south side of the rCave is a trefoiled lancet. The
other windows are modern, with sashes. The font has
a square bowl upon a cylindrical stem. The date of
this church is doubtful, but probably the main part is
First Pointed.
The situation is very pleasing.
70
Corre£(ponIience.
TO THE EDITOB OF THE ABGHiEOLOGIA CAMBREN8I8.
RAMBLES OVER THE DENBIGHSHIRE HILLS.
No. IL
Sir, — The scene of my last letter was in the neighbourhood of a
bridge called Pont Petraal, abont seven miles &om Ruthin, on the
Cerrig j drudion road. In this letter I will relate what I saw and
heard in the same mountain district, but still further up in the
mountains. From the well called " Ffynnon y Fuwch Freeh", men-
tioned in my last letter, we went to Cefn Ban nog, a small mountain
farm, and from thence we proceeded to the open mountain, also
called Cefn Bannog. In this district there were remains of circular
and other buildings, and these were approached by deep trackways.
In Carnarvonshire these remains are called ** Cyttiau'r Gwyddelod"
(the huts of the Gwyddelod) ; but here they have a different name,
for they are called " Gwaith y Brithwyr" (i.e., the work of the Brith-
wyr). This is a rather singular name, and it is worthy of more than
a passing remark.
Y Brithwyr.— The word hrithvrr, of which hrithwyr is the plural,
is given in Dr. Owen Pugh's Dictionary, and the word is there de-
fined, '* a variegated or mottled man. It implies either a man in a
party-coloured dress, or one whose body is painted, — a Pict.*' In
this way these huts become the work of the ricts, or painted men,
or men who painted their bodies. Historians have told us that the
ancient Britons painted their bodies, and Cowper sings :
" Time was when clothing, sumptuous or for use,
Save their own painted skins, our sires had none."
The Task, lines 8 and 9.
Our forefathers must have been hardy men to have outlived such a
winter as this we are passing through without clothes ; but all this,
we know, is the poet's licence and the historian's fiction.
I asked my informant, Thomas Jones, Oefii Bannog, who told him
that these remains were said to have been erected by the Brithwyr,
and he told me that an old man, John Hughes, Bryn Mawndy (a
place two miles away), who was in the habit of visiting these parts
to look after his ponies, had given him the information. He also
said that Hughes was a well informed man, and knew the history
of all the places in the neighbourhood ; and further, Hughes said
that an ancient name for Cefn Bannog was Pyll Brithion^ PyU being
the plural of pwll, a small pool. This, most likely, was the name of
the valley, which was bounded on one side by Bannog Ridge, and
CORBESPONDENGE. 71
not the name of the ridge, or Cefn, itself. If so, the name would be
most appropriate, for the place abounds with small pools of water or
monntain springs ; and these at a distance would glitter in the sun,
and make that part appear as if dappled with pools.
From these remaius we walked to Bwloh y Forwyn (the Pass of
the Virgin), which overlooks Wann Baunog. From Bwlch y For-
wyn an extensiye view of wild scenery is obtained. Mountain after
mountain appears, dimmed bv distance, and hollow after hollow,
darkened by shadows. In the immediate neighbourhood of the
Bwlch, rank ferns and sturdy heath flourish ; and the deep note of
the curlew is heard from the marshy ground below. On the Bwlch
stands a stone, erected years ago, to direct the traveller on his way.
As I have a little information about this stone I will speak of it as
Bwlch y Forwyn PUlar-Stone. — The Stone stands right at the top
of the pass, or bwlch. It is about 5 feet high, and about I^ foot
broad. On one side is the date 1630, and underneath these figures
are the initials H. R. On the other side, cut into the Stone, is a
small St. Andrew's cross. At one time there were a series of these
stones to be seen along this hill, but they have been removed, and
utilised. Thomas Jones, Cefn Bannog, removed one of them, and
it at present forms a gatepost near his house. This stone also has on
it the date and initials above given ; and besides, it has another
date, 1863, and other initials, J. B. S., cut into it. These modem
letters and date were engraven on the stone (T. Jones told me) by
John Roberts, saddler, Pontuchel. I could not ascertain whether this
stone had on it a small cross, as the side where the cross should be
was built up against the field wall.
These pillar-stones were placed on the hill (the wild, trackless
mountains) to direct the traveller to the Hendre, or, as it is called
in full, Hendre Glan Alwen, where a bed, supper, and breakfast
awaited him. The initials, H. R., stood (Jones informed me) for
Hugh Beynallt, who held the Hendre in 1630 on the condition that
he should supply all travellers with a bed for the night, and food for
supper and breakfast. The occupier of the Hendre paid no other
rent for his farm than that now stated. The farm belonged to the
Salesbury family. Undoubtedly the farm was, previously to 1630,
let on like terms. There were many such places in various parts
of Wales, and such a hospitium would be indeed welcome to a weary
traveller in winter. Pilgrims and travellers were alike entitled to
hospitality in these places. At present the Hendre is an ordinary
farmhouse.
As the weather continued unpropitious, we returned to Cefn
Bannog, and we were glad to find ourselves sitting around a good,
blazing fire. In the house I noticed a settle with tne date 1639, and
the initials E F M M underneath. These initials, the occupants of
the house told me, stood for Edward Ffoulk and Mary Morris, rela-
tives of the present owner of the settle ; the woman, Mary Morris,
according to a Welsh custom, retaining after marriage her maiden
name.
72 CORRESPONDENCE.
I knew that I was in tlie oonntry of the fairies, and so without
mnch circamlocntion I introdnced the sabject. This pUm of pro-
ceeding will noty however, always do, for people are very shj on
Bach subjects, and they think that the lowlanders only langh
at them for believing that snch beings ever existed. It requires
therefore, some little tact, and a good amount of give and take,
before this shyness is entirely dissipated ; but when once their over-
sensitiveness has been overcome, fkiries and other like matters are
fully discussed So now I will relate what I heard of the &irie8 at
Cefn Bannog.
The Fairies : their Kindne$$. — Thomas Jones informed me thnt
he was personally acquainted with the wife and the children of the
man who is the subject of the following tale, and he has no doubt
as to the truth thereof. The hero of the tale was a shoemaker, but
I forget his name. However, the tale is as follows.
The shoemaker enjoyed indifferent health, and thinking that pos-
sibly he might improve in bodily strength if he could get some«
thing to do beside shoemaking, he went fix)m home to see if he
could get some other work. He was fortunate enough to get work
in a tan-yard, at a place called Penybont, not far from the Druid,
in Corwen parish. The shoemaker's family lived in a house called
Tan y Graig, belonging to Clegir-issa farm, and the man walked
to his work from hi^ home either daily or weekly, I forget which.
However, he seemed to be getting on in a marvellous way, for he
had now always plenty of money by him. This money he got^ not
by working in the tan -yard, but he found it on the ground when-
ever he passed a certain place. The spot where he picked up the
money was a round plot of green ground, close to a gate on Tan y
Coed farm. The glitter of the coin on the ground in the first instance
took his attention, and he ever afterwards found a like bright coin
on the same spot. The money found was silver (three shilling-pieces),
and they were all alike. The luck that attended him he kept secret;
but after a while he, to get peace from his wife, who was always plagu-
ing him to know how he got so much money, told her all about the
find, and how that he believed it was the good fairies that placed
the coin there for him. Shortly after divulging the secret, the shoe-
maker died, and no one ever found any more pieces of silver on
that spot.
Fairies seen, — After this tale had been related, I asked T. Jones
if any one had ever seen the fairies, and he said " Yes ; but that
they were not now often seen." Jones said that some children had
seen them on the hill close by. The day was misty, and the clouds
capped the hills, and the children saw a large number of diminutive
folk, dressed in blue, emerging from the clouds, and then rushing
back into the clouds. Jones, though, had not himself seen them.
Fairies forming an Acquainiatice with Mortals. — I will suppress
names when relating the following, because there are many descend-
ants of the lady that flourishes in the tale living, who, perhaps,
would not like to hoar what was told me of their grandmother. I
CORRESPONDEKCE. 73
will, therefore, call her Mrs. B. This lady was an aotiye, indns-
trioas person, greatly respected bj all her acqaaintances, and she
oceapied a large farm in the uplands of Denbighshire. The fairies
knew her well, and were in the habit of addressing her as '^Anntj
Ann"; and she, when called by the wee, little folk, always went to
them ; and in this way she became personally acqnainted with the
fitiries, and knew them individually by name. There was quite a
friendship between Mrs. B. and the fairies. Sometimes, when Mrs.
li. was msh-gathering by Bodrnal, the fairy dog would come to her,
just as any other dog would come to welcome its master's friend.
It was Tery evident ^at the fairy tribe loved Mrs. B., and that she
loved them. The descendants of Mrs. R. are well-to-do people, and
they have not heard it hinted that the riches they possess came from
fairy-land. Most likely they inherit their grandmother's industry,
a quality that even fairies admire, and that in this way they have
accumulated the riches that are in the fiEtmily.
Many other tales were told by one or other of the company while
-we sat nestling round the fire ; but enough has been related in this
paper to show how rich these mountain recesses are in folklore of
by-gone days. In my next paper I will give an account of what I
heard and saw in another out-of-the-way dingle in Denbighshire.
E. O.
CHEPSTOW CASTLK
Sib, — ^Mr. Clark gives no description under the head of Chep-
stow, but he very frequently refers to it in his general remarks, and
when speaking of work elsewhere. He, or his printer, apparently
had trouble with his handwriting, for it is clear some of his remarks
apply to Clipston in Notts, and not to Chepstow, as stated. I
allude especially to the hall and kitchen of wood ordered by King
Henry III (vol. i, p. 164). Whether this applies or not to the
mural galleries, hanging shutters, and other things (pp. 164, 166,
and 181), I cannot say. John Carter has large-size drawings of the
embrasures of the marten tower, and their loops, and does not
show what is described. My object here is more especially to speak
of the entrances and their approaches.
Seeing that Chepstow stood outside the town wall (that is, prac-
tically in the field), and was, moreover, on the side of the river on
which attack was to be expected, the defences of the lower or eastern
end seem slight. There is no lift-bridge, only one gate and a port*
cuUis. Compare this with Goderich. It confirms my opinion that
this gate was protected by a barbican of the nature of the Walm-
gate, York, the rudiments of which yet show on the eastern part of
tiie south gate tower ; and I expect a search for foundations there
would prove this. Oddly enough, Mr. Clark is represented by the
author of Domestic Architecture (vol. ii, p. 314) to say that there is a
complete stone barbican at Chepstow.
Bat it seems to me certain tiiat there were inner chambers over
74 CORRESPONDENCE.
the passage, whether that was vaulted or not. These may haire
supplied an additional portcullis or more, and gates towards the
court ; but I do not see how it is possible there could have been an
oratory over, as stated. /. • u«
The entrance at the west or upper end is rendered confosing by
the modem wood bridge from the gate, across the ravine, to the
rock further west ; and by the destractiou of the masonry starfcmg
south-west, from the south-west bastion-tower, near the limekiln. I
believe this masonry to be the remains of a wall, possibly joming
the town wall, or reaching to the cliff opposite ; and that the access
to the west gate was by a steep road passing under fire of the souUi-
west tower and its connecting cartain, to the bridge- platform. An
enemy who had advanced so far, if attacked in rear by a sortie
from the sallyport, would have to choose between cold steel and the
precipice.
The alterations of the west gate house, partly by decay, partly by
design, have led to a misconception of it The gateway was not
more than about 15 feet high. It had two portcullises ; one worked
• from the second floor, one from the first. The wall under the arch
dividing the two has perished, giving extraordinary height, as at
Llawhaden ; and the depth is artificially increased by cutting away
some 6 feet of the wall carrying the trunnion of the bridge. I have
no doubt whatever that the bottom of the portcullis-groove marks
the floor-line. The fall from thence to the lowest quoin of the
eastern arch is only about 1 in 6, while the ascent on the outer side
must have been as bad as 1 in 4, if not worse. 1 have no doubt
that the floor of the drawbridge-pit, if cleared, would prove this.
The only access to Tenby Castle is by a yet steeper road, through a
gate scarcely 10 feet high.
Excellently well kept and marvellously interesting as Chepstow
Castle is, it would be still more interesting if a little more of it could
be seen. It is so interesting one longs to see more. No one admires
ivy more than I do ; but it is as weU to be without good work as to
allow ivy to overwhelm it. 1 look on those two wych-elms growing
out of the limestone rock at the head of the Castle ditch as surpris-
ingly beautiful. I could not cut them. But I should like to see
them developed, and a little of the Castle to be seen as well, by cut-
ting a good many of their neighbours. One gets an erroneous im-
pression of a castle if it is simply a sylvan scene, however beautiful.
The south-west tower, a building with basement and two stories,
distinctly Norman, is, I doubt not, full of interest ; but it is fuller of
rubbish, on the summit of which an ash-tree grows gracefully. The
beautiful chamber south of the gate between the third and fourth
courts, is, I believe, Norman recast ; but both it and the building
on the north are obscured by ivy. Who does not thirst to see those
of the Norman arches of the keep, which show on the outside, re-
opened r
J. B C.
CORRESPONDENCE. 75
THE WYNNE OF LEESWOOD FAMILY BIBLE.
Sib, — Daring the last few months the writer has had placed in
hxs hands bj his friend, Egerton G. Bagot Phillimore, Esq., a yery
interesting volume which the possessor thought ought to be brought
before the notice of the public.
The book is a handsome folio volume bound in dark blue or black
calf richly ornamented in gold, with the remains of two silver clasps,
the boards rather thick, and the edges of the leaves gilt. Unfortu-
nately the back has disappeared, and been replaced by one which
neither in character nor richness harmonises with the original, being
modem and plain, with the exception of the title, " Y Bibl, 1690."
The title-page bears a print of the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, and
underneath the words, " Rhydychain, Printiedig yn y Theatr yn y
fliN^ddyn mdcxc."
The laudable work of printing the Bible in folio, in the Welsh
tongue, was undertaken through the efforts of William Lord Bishop
of St Asaph, as is evident from the following printed receipt which
is pasted upon the back of the frontispiece of the New Testament r
"12 Martii, '87. Received then of Mr. George Wynne the summe
of twelve shillings toward printing the Welsh Bible in folio, accord-
ing to the Proposals made by the Right Reverend Father in God
William Lord Bishop of St. Asaph ; and upon the payment of the
like summe I do, by the order and on the part and behalf of the
said L' Bishop, promise, within twelve monethes from the date
hereof, to deliver to the said George Wynne, his executors or
assignes, one Welsh Bible of the large paper, ready bound, accord-
ing to the said proposals, or to repay the said summe of twelve shil-
lings. Ffra. Evans, p/."
We must, of course, bear in mind that twelve shillings of that
day represents a much larger sum at the present time, though, if
we take into consideration other concomitant circumstances, we
must allow that even then the work was produced at a very reason-
able rate. The copy before us, however, is not quite perfect, since
the last three leaves have been beautifully supplied in manuscript,
carefully copying the printed letters of the remainder. It is very
possible that in this way the history of the volume has been broken,
since the vacant spaces are the parts which the various owners have
selected for making their notes and entries, and such a space would
naturally occur very conveniently at the end of the Book of the
Apocalypse of St John.
From what remains, the history of the volame may be told in few
words. As shown above, it originally belonged to the family of
Wynne of Leeswood, and probably passing by marriage, with their
other possessions, into the hands of the Warings, was sold or given
away. It then came into the possession of the family of Griffith of
76 CORRESPONDENCE.
Bhnal or Ty Newydd, and snbseqnentlj into tliat of Mr. Josepk
Eaton, a builder, of Mold, oo. Denbigh, by whom it was conveyed to
a London dealer, and afterwards nven in exchange for a Spanish
Bible, of greater intrinsic value, to B. G. B. Phillimore, Esq., a dili-
gent collector of Welsh MSS. and old books.
Passing on now to family notices and inscriptions in the book, we
first notice, on the interior of the cover, a book-plate engraved with
the coat of arms, and, beneath, the words, " George Wynne, of Lees-
wood, Esq." The crest is a dolphin naiant, on a wreath, beneath
which is an esquire's helmet ; the mantling, of rich scrollwork, en-
compassing the helmet and shield, upon the latter of which appear
the arms, argent, a chevron or between three dolphins naiant proper.
Burke, under the head of Wynne of Leeswood, Bart, gives the
arms as azure, a chevron between three dolphins hau riant, argenL
Crest, a dolphin hauriant, argent. Extinct temp. George IIL It is
curious that the portion of the book-plate whereon the heraldic
insignia appear is engraved with horizontal lines, the usual way of
expressing azure in printing. It would be interesting to determine
whether the coat, as depicted upon the book-plate, was an inten-
tional difference for the fEtmily of Wynne of Leeswood, or whether
the difference arose simply through the ignorance of the engraver ;
ail instance of which occurs in another book-plate in the possession
of the author, where the arms of Kyffin of Maenan are given quar^
tered with, argent, a chevron guies between three pheons sable ,• the
two upper pointing to each other, the lower pointing upwards.
There can be no doubt but that this is a perversion of the engraver,
the arms being evidently intended for those of Goronwy, lord of
Henfachau, son of Cadwgan y Saethydd (the Archer) of Mochnant,
who bore, argent, a chevron gules inter three pheons pointing to the
fess, point sable. The mother of Goronwy was Angharad Fecban,
daughter and coheir of Gruffudd ab Meilir Eyton of Eyton ; and he
himself married Efa, daughter a^d heir of David ab Howel Yychan
ab Howel ab leuaf, lord of Arwystli, by whom he had an only
daughter and heir, Efa, wife of Cuhelyn ab Rhnn ab Einion Evell ;
and so this quartering passes to her descendants and representa^
tives, the Vaughans, Earls of Carbery, now represented by Vaughan
of Humphreston and Watkyns of Pennoyre ; Kyffins of Maenan,
Glascoed, and Oswestry ; Tanats of Abertanad, Blodwell, etc It
seems by no means improbable that the family of Heylin have had
their arms transformed by a similar process from three boars' heads
with necks into three horses' heads erased ; the former being those
of Heylin ab Trahaiam ab Iddon ab Rhys Sais, the latter those of
Brochwell Yscithrog.
The manuscript entries are as follow :
On the fly-leaf preceding the title-page, in a formal hand, " June
V, mdccxxviii. This Book was given by Eleanor Wynne, Widdow
and relict of Gborge Wynne, Esq., Late of Leeswooa, deceased, as
an Heirloom to that Family for ever."
On the title-page, in different places, ** 1715. George Wynne and
CORRESPONDENCE. ^1
Eleanor Wynne, John Wynne, J. G." The title-page has been
mended, and the date restored in niannseript.
On the first page of the Book of Genesis, '* John Wynne de Lees-
wood", in old writing; and on the same page as chapter y, " George
Wynne."
On Hii Isaiah, yerse 12, is the following note, apparently by one
of the family of Griffith, " Nur Efe a wel Had Parai a estyn ei dy-
dian, a buriad gras ol lehofah, a Iwyda yn ei law O lafar ei enaid y
gwel firwyth ao a fodlonnr Rhodaf lawer ido yn alian ar cedym a
rana Efe yn Ysbail, Louth, J. G."
At the end of the Book of the Prophet Malachi : " Anna filia
Johannis Wynne de Lees wood in Comitata fflint Armigeris [«tc]
Babtisata fait secnndo die Jnlii Anno dom' millessimo Sexcentessimo
Nonagessimo Octayo, etc. A. on friday betwene nine & tenne in the
morning.
" Georgins filius predicti Johannis de Leesewood p'dict' in Com'
predicto Babtisatns fait sexto die Janii An'oque dom' 1700. G.
wen'day betweene eight and nine in the morning.
"Johannes filins p*d' Joh'is Wynne de Leeswood in Comitata
p'dicto Babtisatns fait decimo die Martii Annoqae dom* 1702, etc.
J. on Taesday betwene 9 and 10 in the morning etc.
" Thomas Llewelyn scripsi.**
At the end of the Book of Susanna is written, in a large hand,
" John Wynne.'*
Of the family of Griffith we haye the following memorials. On a
sheet of black-edged paper pasted npon the fly-leaf facing the title-
page : " The Rhnal Tablet, Mold Church. Sacred to the memory of
Thomas Griffith, Esq., of Rhual, who died June 15th, 1811. Also
of Henrietta Mariah Griffith, wife of the above, who died June 18th,
1813. And also of Edwin Griffith, their youngest son. Major in the
15th Regiment of Light Dragoons, who on a day so fatal to the
family, JxvaQ 18^^, 181 5, at the oyer memorable and sanguinary battle
of Waterloo, fell, being struck by a cannon-ball in the breast, and
instantly expired, while gallantly leading his regiment which he
commanded to the charge of a body of French. Peace to Ghx)d and
Braya"
Printed upon a sheet of black-edged paper, " In remembrance of
Elizabeth Griffiths, Widow of the late George Griffiths, Ty Newydd,
near Mold, who died May 24th, 1872, aged 48 years, and was this
day interred in the ^Etmily yault at Hope."
On a fly-leaf at the beginning of the book is pasted a letter from
Josh. Eaton, builder, and dated Mold, 9 Oct. 1878, giying a descrip-
tion of the book, and stating that it belonged to Sir George Wynne,
High Sheriff of the county of Flint in 1723, the yery diy summer.
" The traditional history of Sir George Wynne is a sad instance of
the changeability of this world. At one time he was considered one
of the richest gentlemen in Wales, haying been very lucky, as they
say, in lead mines from a certain piece of land in Ualkin Mountain.
The spot is called to this day " Erw Sir George", or Sir George's
78 CORRESPOXDENCE.
Acre. There is now a bouse in Mold where he lived for some time,
and a certain room is shown ns where he nscd to keep his vast
amonnt of gold, the floor of which is very mnch bent, caused by the
weight of gold it contained. He made those splendid gates in front
of Leeswood ; gates, they say, that cannofc be surpassed in any part
of the kingdom. But he died in prison, at the King's Bench, and his
only surviving daughter, out of a very numerous issne, was wife of
Richard Hill Waring, Esq., of Salop. She died without issue, so
the family are extinct."
It remains for us to make a few remarks upon the family of Wynne
of Leeswood. It is palpable that the volume before us was not ori-
ginally the property of Sir George Wynne, who was created a Baro-
net, 9 August 1/31, but of his grandfather, George Wynne, who died
an esqaire, and whose wife, Eleanor, survived him, and \e(t it as an
heirloom in the family. The Wynnes, like many other Welsh
families, seem to have been people of ancient lineage, but small
estate, until the time of John Wynne, the son of the subscriber to
the Bible, and whose name of John Wynne appears written in seve-
ral places in it. This was the John Wynne who discovered the
valuable lead mine upon his property, which made his descendants
so much more wealthy than his ancestors that, as is oflen the case,
it has been customary to regard him as founder of the family. This
is too oflen the case, and arises to some extent, perhaps, from the
ideas of primogeniture so common in England, which virtually
makes only one member of a family in each generation, so that the
younger, or at least the less wealthy members, are soon forgotten ;
and if one of them acquires a large fortune, there is a general ex-
clamation against his claiming to be of the same family as the per-
son to whom the chief portion of the property has descended ; espe-
cially if the latter, either by some hick of policy, carrying some
popular measure, or other means, has been rewarded by tiie dignity
of a modern peerag^e ; or, as it is commonly but erroneously called,
become ennobled.
For the ancestry of the Wynnes of Leeswood we must ascend to
Tewdwr Mawr, as follows :
Tewdwr Mawr, Prince of Soath Wales
Ehya ab Tewdwr Mawr, 1093
wladys, dr. of Bhiwallon ab Cynfyn
Omffadd
=T=Gwenlliaii, dr. of QmfEtidd ab Cynan of North Wales
Rhys, oh, 1197
=j=Gwenllian, dr. of Madoc ap Meredith of Powya
Bhys Grag
hys MeoheU, oh, 1244
Bh
ahya Vychan
=T=Gwlady8, dr. of Gruffadd ab Llewelyn
CORRESPONDENCE.
79
'i
bya Gloff of Wendod
=y=... dr. and heir of Qmffadd of Cymytmaeo
I in Llejn
Madoc
Trahaiam Gooh, of Lleyn, bore aawre, a chev-
1 ron inter three dolphins haoriant argi.
Ithel DaUnth
Lilewelyn
I
Gruffudd
10 bnilt Plas Ithel Wynne of Coed y Llai
(
Omffudd
I
Qwyn
liricholas
thel Wynne
John Wynne
John Wynne
Peter Wynne
Peter Wynne
John Wynne
Gtoorge Wynne of Leeewood, dead ante Jane 5, 1728, sabsoriber to the
Welsh Bible
^Eleanor, who sorvived him
John Wynne, who greatly enriched the family by the discovery of a rich
=F mine
I
J,
Sir George Wynne of
Leeswood, bapt.
6 Jane 1700; created
a Baronet, 9 Aag. 1781
=j= dr. of Mr. Lloyd =f
of Heligen or Halkin, |
ob. 26 April 1748 Sir John Wynne, Bart., in 1771
?
John Wynne, heir in remainder,
bai>t. 7 March 1702 ; succeeded
his brother as heir male, and
oh, 1764
I
Anne Wynne,
bapt. 2 July
1698
Qeorge, oh, t, p.,
viv.pat.
Esther, s, p, Mary s. p.
Margaret, heir, second wife
^Bichard Hill Waring, ob.
8. p., 1789
Richard Hill Waring devised his estates to his cousin, of whom
more may be seen in the article npon Oswestry lately published in
the ArchcBologia Camhrensis, He inherited the name of Hill from
bis mother, Margaret, eldest daughter and coheir of Bobert Hill of
Attingham, co. Salop. The other coheirs of Bobert Hill were, —
Anne, wife of Leighton Owen Griffith of Dinthill ; Margaret, wife
of Thomas Kynaston of Maesbury; Elizabeth, wife of Francis
Chambre of Petton ; Sarah, wife of John Harries of Cruokton; and
Rebecca, wife of Samuel Adderton of Preston.
Henbt F. J. Vaughan.
Humphreston Hall, Salop.
6 Oct. 1885.
80
CAMBRIA]^ ABCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
Thb Annual Meeting will take plaoe on Anfi^st the 23rd and follow-
ing days, at Swansea, nnder the Presidency of Mr. John Talbot
DlLLWYN LlEWBLTW.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOE 1885.
EBCSIPTS.
£ 8. </.
56 8 2
To amount reeeived from
the late Treasurer, the
Rey. E. L. Barnwell .
Pickering and Co., for
Journals sold
Arrears of subscriptions 151 1
Subscriptions for 1885 . 225 15
Surplus, Newport Local
Fund
Lord Tredegar's cheque
Overpaid
6 15
28 12
10
1
Examined and found correct,
^£478 14
Balance in Treasurer's
hands . . ;C234 9 5
PATMBRT8.
Rey. Canon Thomas for
Editors
Ditto, disbursements
Ditto, account of Index
W. G. Smith, wood en-
grayings .
Ditto,attendance at New-
port ....
Messrs. Whitinpr and Co.,
printing Journal
Cattell and Co., zinco-
graphs
D. Dallas, Dallastype and
printing
A .Baker, wood-engraving
J. Russell Smith, wood-
blocks purchased
Blades and East, circu-
lars (autograph)
Edw. Laws, Secretary's
disbursements
Treasurer's ditto
To balance .
£ 9. d.
40
3
10
Feb. 20, 1886.
James Davisb, Auditor.
D. R. Thomas, Chairman of Committee,
27 9
5 5
134 17 2
6 15
2 1
2 17
. 7
. 11
. 234 9
6
6
5
£478 14
FIFTH SERIES.— VOL. Ill NO, X
APRIL 1886.
SUDBROOK CAMP.
This camp, which is of somewhat exceptional interest,
ifi situated on the coast about four miles from Chepstow,
and in close proximity to where the recently constructed
railway tunnel runs under the Bristol Channel.
The works in connection with this tunnel have mate^
rially altered the surroundings of the camp. The parish
of Sudbrook, which had, from some unknown cause,
become depopulated, had many years ago been merged
into that of Portskewett, and only a short time since
not a single habitation was to be seen in the vicinity
of the camp, which presented a singularly solitary
aspect. Now all this is changed, and close by the
camp a busy, populous village, sadly wanting, by the
way, in everything that is picturesque, has sprung into
existence^
The earthworks in their present form extend for
upwards of 320 yards in an irregular semicircle, both
ends of which run down almost to the edge of the low
cliflFs on the sea-shore, enclosing an area of somewhat
more than three acres. The original defences con-
sisted of three parallel banks of unequal height,
though on the eastern side only the innermost of these
remains. This bank must have been the main line of
defence, and is still more than 20 feet in height, and of
considerable breadth. Outside this was a ditch and a
5th sbb., vol. hi. t(
82 SUDBROOK CAMP.
much smaller bank ; and beyond that another ditch and
a third and larger bank, though of less formidable
dimensions than the innermost ; and beyond that again'
there would probably be another ditch, though there
are but slight indications of it at the present time.
All these lines of embankment are very distinctly
defined along the western side for a distance of nearly
200 yards, to a point where the earthen ramparts have
been broken through, but beyond that all traces of
the two outer banks have become obliterated. The
opening here referred to is generally believed to have
been the entrance to the camp, but it is by no means
conclusive that it formed any part of iihe original
plan, and it is equally possible that this supposed
entrance may be nothing more than a comparatively
modern opening cut through the banks for the con-
venience of the farmer who occupied the meadow-land
within the camp. There is much diflBculty in ascertain-
ing the original extent and plan of the stronghold,
arising mainly from the fact that for centuries the sea
has been making steady inroads on this part of the
coast, to an extent that would hardly appear credible
to those who are not familiar with the neighbourhood.
Its action at this particular point has, however, recently
been arrested by an unsightly heap of debris from the
tunnel-works, that has been deposited on the beach.
It is almost impossible to realise the extent to which
the coast-line must have altered. According to tradi-
tion, a long spit of land once ran out from Sudbrook
Point in a south-westerly direction, extending as far
as the Denny, a rocky islet now lying in mid-channel
at a distance of over four miles from Sudbrook. A local
writer,^ to whom we are indebted, has remarked that
the names by which some of the intervening rocks and
sand-banks are still known seem to afford some corro-
boration of this. Such designations as CruggyorCrugan,
^ The late Mr. Thomas Wakeman, who in conjunction with Octa-
yias Morgan, Esq., F.S.A., compiled a series of valuable papers pub-
lished by the Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquarian Association.
SUDBROOK CAMP. 83
the hillocks ; Bedwin, the birchen grove ; or Dinan, the
fortified hill, are certainly not applicable to places over-
flowed by the tide twice in every twenty-four hours.
This strip of land would form a narrow peninsula,
having the open channel towards the south and east,
whilst on the other side the estuary of the little river
Troggy (or Nedem, as the lower part of the stream
is now called) would form a spacious anchorage.
We may here call to mind the well-known Welsh
tradition, embodied in the Triads, that Portskewett
was once one of the three principal ports or harbours
in the island, which could hardly be understood under
existing conditions. Assuming the existence of this
peninsula, the camp must have stood at the head of
the harbour, occupying the neck of land uniting the
long spit forming its southern side with the main-
land. Whether, however, so great an alteration in the
coast-line is possible within the last two thousand
years or so, is certainly open to question.
The camp has been surmised by several writers to
have been originally constructed by the Britons, and
subsequently occupied by the Romans. Camden,
writmg of Sudbrook in the earlier part of the seven-
teenth century, says : " The Church whereof, called
Trinity Chappell, standeth so neare the sea, that the
vicinity of so tyrannous a neighbour hath spoiled it of
halfe the church-yarde, as it hath done also of an old
fortification lying thereby, which was compassed with
a triple ditch and three rampiers, as high as an ordinary
house, cast in forme of a bowe, the string wherof is
the sea-cliffe''; and adds, " that this was a Roman work
the British bricks and Roman coins found are most
certain arguments"; and he specially mentions a fine
medal of the Emperor Severus found here, which in
Canaden's time was in the possession of the then Bishop
of Llandaff, Dr. Francis Godwin, who was himself an
antiquary, and resided for some years in the immediate
neighbourhood.
Archdeacon Coxe, who speaks of Sudbrook Camp as
6«
84 SUDBROOK CAMP.
" usually supposed to be Roman", states that upon the
edge of the cliffs at either extremity of the innermost
bank he found " heaps of stones and rubbish, which
seem to be the remains of ancient buildings ; among
these were two or three ranges of large stones, placed
on each other, without cement, and others of the same
kind which had fallen down, strewed the adjacent
f round." Unfortunately, every vestige of this masonry
as been carried away by the continued encroachments
of the sea.
Although the camp itself presents no distinct traces
of anything resembling Roman work, and, with the
exception of Camden, no writer has recorded the fact
of any Roman remains having been found upon the
spot, the fact that the Romans must have had some
post in the immediate vicinity can hardly be doubted.
A great military road, known as the Via Julia, passing
through AqucB Solis (Bath), connected Isca Silurum
(Caerleon), the head-quarters of the second legion,
with the great central station, Calleva Atrehatum (Sil-
chester). Starting from Isca Silurum, this road passed
througn Venta SUurum (Caerwent), following the line
of the present highroad between Newport and Chep-
stow as far as Crick, where it met another road which
came from Glevum (Gloucester) by way of Lydney,
crossing the Wye a little above Chepstow Castle, where
the remains of a bridge may still be seen at low tides,
following very nearly in the line of the high road to a
short distance beyond Pwlmeyric, then crossing the
fields behind Haye's Gate Farm, and then along an old
road by Broadwell, in which the Roman pavement was
very perfect some few years ago, and thence to Crick,
From Crick the main line of the Via JuUa evidently
turned southward towards the coast, pursuing its
course along the line of the present highroad as fiir as
Portskewett, skirting a tract of low, marshy land,
through which the Nedern flows, and which, before the
construction of the sea-banks and defences, must have
been covered with salt water at every spring tide, thus
SUDBROOK CAMP. 85
precluding the possibility of carrying the road in a
direct line from Caerwent to the sea-coast, and necessi-
tating the somewhat considerable detour along the
higher ground by Crick. Between Crick and Fort-
skewett the Roman pavement can still be very dis-
tinctly traced in places. Beyond Portskewett, for the
distance of a little more than half a mile, the road has
been destroyed, but some indications of it may yet be
seen across the fields, and it appears to have led to the
sea-coast in the immediate vicinity of the camp. With
the evidence of this road we can hardly, in considering
the facts connected with the camp at Budhrook, ignore
altogether the much-vexed question as to the line
taken by the Roman passage across the estuary of the
Severn, concerning which so many learned dissertations
have been written by gentlemen who, for the most
part, as Mr. Wakeman has aptly remarked, seem to
have thought it totally unnecessary to make them-
selves acquainted with the localties. A very able paper
on this subject by the Hon. and Right Rev. Bishop
Cliflford appears in the third volume of the Bristol and
Gloucestershire Archaeological Society's Transactions:
and the writer, labouring under no such lack of suffix
cient local knowledge, comments on the peculiar advan-
tages which would here be derived from the action of
the tide, which, owing to the bend in the estuary, is
specially favourable for boats crossing the stream.
The Itinerary of Antoninus, which probably dates
from the second century, and is certainly not later than
the fourth, and is therefore an authority of the highest
value, gives us the distances of the various stations
along the Via Julia. Most of the theories that have
been advanced relative to the point where the estuary
was crossed are based upon the hypothesis that, owing
to mistakes in the copy of the Itinerary that has
reached our times, the names of some of the stations
have been transposed. This supposition is, however,
altogether rejected by the Bishop, who shows that by
placing the station Trajectus at the point where the
86 SUDBROOK CAMP.
Via Julia crossed the Avon, not far from Bitton, instead
of identifying it as the passage across the estuary of
the Severn, there can be no difficulty whatever in accept-
ingthis portion of the Itinerary as it stands.
The Bishop unhesitatingly accepts the earthworks at
Sudbrook as Roman, and is of opinion that here was
the place of embarkation used by the Romans in
crossing the channel, and that it must have been for
the defence of the passage that this camp was con-
structed, " The spectator who stands on the edge of
the embankment'*, says the Bishop, ** and contemplates
the work of denudation still in progress, will readily
understand that during the course of fifteen hundred
years and more, a very considerable portion of the
coast must have been washed away, and that conse-
quently, when this fort was erected by the Romans, not
only was the earthwork complete on the river-side, but
a considerable space of land probably intervened
between the western front of the fortress and the bed
of the river. He will also understand why no indica-
tions at present exist of what were the conveniences
for the anchorage of ships and landing of men and
goods, at the period when the fort was built ; all such
works must long ago have disappeared/' Whilst, how-
ever, freely admitting the probability of this having
been the point of embarkation for troops and stores
crossing the estuary in the time of the Romans, and
likewise the occupation of the camp by a Roman
garrison — which would follow as a matter of course —
it appears to be more than questionable if what we
now see can by any possibility be the remains of a
Roman camp of the usual rectangular form, of which,
as some have contended, only two, or parts of two
sides, forming the northern angle, remain. The theory
of its ever having been occupied by the Romans is now
discredited by many, and perhaps the most commonly
accepted opinion is that, like other somewhat similar
" cliff castles" to be found along this coast, it owes its
construction to the Danes. But taking all the facts
SUDBROOK CAMP. 87
into consideration, we may probably venture to assume
that the camp was originally a British work, subse-
quently occupied, and perhaps reconstructed by the
Romans ; for the camp itself does not seem to be of
Koman origin, and there would be nothing unreason-
able in the supposition that the Britons had previously
used this same passage across the estuary, and that the
Roman road which led to this spot was on the line of a
British trackway. It is equally possible that the
stronghold may in turn have been occupied in like
manner by the Danes, who would not improbably adapt
the existing earthworks, so far as practicable, to their
own peculiar style of fortification. Local tradition
attributes the camp to Earl Harold, whose palace at
Portskewett was in the immediate vicinity.
An account of the camp at Sudbrook would hardly
be complete without some reference to the ruins of the
little church, so oddly placed in the fosse of the ancient
stronghold. This is the ** Trinity Chappell" mentioned
by Canwien, and was the parish church of Sudbrook, or
Southbrook, a place which, having at one time become
depopulated, is no longer an independent parish, but
has for at least two centuries been merged into that
of Portskewett. When this took place is uncertain,
nor is it known when the church was finally abandoned
and suflfered to fall into ruins. In 1560, the Bishop
certified that John Williams, then Rector of Sudbrook,
was " there resydent and kepeth hospytalytye''. The
burial in 1596 of William Taylor, "parson of South-
brooke'*, is recorded in the Portskewett registers, but
the place of interment is not stated ; and the baptism
in 1629 of a daughter of William Hulton, " some time
curate of the parish of Southbrooke", is recorded in
the same registers. The church was certainly used as
late as 1674, for a marriage is recorded in the Port-
skewett registers as having been solemnised " at the
church of Sudbrooke" in that year. There are, how-
ever, no means of ascertaining whether Sudbrook waa
then an independent benefice. Archdeacon Coxe^
88 SUDBROOK CAMP.
writing in 1800, says that divine service was performed
in Sudbrook Church within the memory of persons
then living, and adds that a person he met there told
him that he had assisted at a funeral there forty years
before. The funeral referred to was probably that of
Mr. Blethyn Smith, a landowner in Sudbrook, and
formerly master of a vessel, who by his will, dated in
1755, desired that his body should be '^ buried in the
eastern end of the chancel of the decayed church of
Sudbrook, as near the wall as may be, attended by six
seafaring men as bearers, my coffin covered with the
ensigns or colours of a ship, instead of a pall." The
fact that the church was described as being " decayed"
in 1755, tends to throw doubt on the correctness of
Archdeacon Coxe's information as to regular service
having been performed therein within memory at the
time when he wrote. Nearly three hundred years ago,
Camden says that the sea had washed away half the
churchyard. More and more gradually disappeared,
and in a short time the church itself must in turn have
been destroyed. The heap of dSbris from the tunnel
works has, however, acted as a break-water, and thus
stayed the work of demolition. A few years ago it
was not uncommon to find fragments of coffins and
human remains lying upon the beach.
Within the last thirty or foVty years the ruins have
sufiered sadly, but fortunately a very careful and
minute account of the church, as it then existed, was
{)repared by Octavius Morgan, Esq., F.S.A., and the
ate Mr. Thomas Wakeman, and published by the
Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquarian Association
in 1858. From this we learn that the church was
originally an early Norman structure, some of the
features of the nave closely resembling a very interest-
ing little Norman church at Runston, about three
miles from Sudbrook. Great alterations and additions
seem to have been made somewhere about the middle
of the fourteenth century. A chancel of almost equal
dimensions with the nave was then added, and a porch
erected to the entrance-door on the south side of the
SUDBROOK CAMP. 89
nave. The porch was simply built up against the wall
of the nave with a straight joint, and has now parted
company, not having been bonded into it. The elegant
window at the west end of the nave was probably
inserted about this time, and there were other addi-
tions, including the open bell-cot, with apertures for
two bells, over the chancel-arch. At the time when the
account published by the Monmouthshire and Caerleon
Antiquarian Association was compiled, there were
.various interesting features, particularly in the chancel,
of which not a single vestige now remains. Fortunately,
these are most minutely described, and we have here
another instance of the valuable services which local
antiquarian associations may render by recording what
would otherwise be totally lost. The base of the
churchyard cross still remains. The socket is of a
type of which there are many other examples in this
district, being a massive octagon, having its upper edge
chamfered, and brought to a square by large broaches
of a convex outline at the alternate faces.
It may be added that the manor was anciently held
in subinfeudation by the De Southbrook family, part
by the service of half a knight s fee under the lordship
of Magor, and the remainder by the eighth part of a
knight's fee under the lordship of Caerleon. It was
eventually acquired by a branch of the Kemeys family,
and in the reign of Henry VIII one moiety of the manor
passed into the possession of the Herberts of Caldicot
Court, through the marriage of Thomas Herbert with
Bridget, daughter and sole heiress of Thomas Kemeys
of Caldicot. In 1721 their share of the manor of Sud-
brook was sold by Vere Herbert, Esq., and his eldest
son, and after several conveyances it was ultimately pur-
chased by Morgan Lewis of St. Pierre, Esq., the direct
ancestor of the present lord of the manor, Charles
Edward Lewis, Esq. The site of the camp has recently
been purchased, together with the surrounding property,
by Mr. Thomas Andrew Walker, the contractor of the
Severn tunnel.
A. E. Lawson Lowe, F.S.A.
90
ARCHITECTURAL NOTES
UPON
USK CHURCH, MONMOUTHSHIRE.
The Priory Church of St. Mary at Usk illustrates the
growth of some of our larger parish churches, from the
original Norman building of moderate size down to
the end of the Perpendicular period, when it probably
attained its largest dimensions before the dissolution
of the monasteries in the time of Henry VIII.
This Priory of Benedictine nuns was founded by
Earl Richard de Clare, the well-known Strongbow,
Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Striguil, whose uncle,
Walter de Clare, was the founder of Tintern Abbey ;
and it appears, from an entry in the valuation of its
revenues made at the time of the dissolution of the
Priory, about 1535, that £1 was to be expended
annually " upon Sherethursday in almes to pray for the
founders, viz: — Sir Richard de Clare, Sir Gilbert his
son, Earles of the Marches",, and for other descendants
and benefactors.
The date of the foundation of the Priory can there-
fore be fixed approximately about the early part of the
twelfth century, say 11 35 or thereabouts. The architec-
ture of the original Norman church, of which there are
still considerable remains, most certainly dates from a
much earlier period ; and I think the cruciform church,
as shown on the plan accompanying this paper, may
have been built about the middle of the eleventh
century, or at any rate very soon after the Norman
Conquest. Of the early Norman church there remain
the south wall of the nave, with its massive south-
western buttress of early type, which distinctly marks
the length of the original nave, a portion of the west
wall of the north transept, and the very fine central
tower carried upon four massive piers, with its circular
NOTES UPON USK CHURCH. 91
angle stair-turret approached from the north transept.
Externally can be traced the water-tables of the roofs
of the choir, north and south transepts, which probably
extended as shown by the dotted lines and shading
upon the plan.
The groining, over what is now the chancel, in the
interior of the tower, is carried upon angle corbels, and
is of distinctly early Norman type. The tower itself
is built in three stages, and is, I believe, of the same
period as the nave and transepts to the top of the
corbel-table ; the battlements are modem.
I am of opinion that the early cruciform Norman
church was the original parish church of Usk ; that
upon the founding of the Priory by Earl Richard about
1135, considerable additions were then made, so as to
accommodate the parishioners as well as the conventual
establishment ; the north aisle was also built at that
period for use as a parish church, and the original
Norman nave was lengthened about 10 feet or so, as
shown on the plan by the dotted lines and lighter
shading, indicating Early English or transitional Nor-
man work.
On the plan which is now in the church, showing the
alterations made in 1844, a buttress is shown, which
appears to have been taken down when the nave was
further lengthened at that time, and which, I think,
marks the limit of the west wall of the nave before the
latest alterations were made. This buttress is in
line with the west wall of the north aisle. It will be
seen on reference to the plan that the arcade is of the
same period as the north aisle, and that when it was
built the north and west walls of the early Norman
church were taken down; but, doubtless, the tran-
septs and choir were retained ; the east wall of the
north aisle was at the same period pierced for a door-
way giving access to the north transept, which then,
as now, was probably used as a vestry. At the same
time, I believe, the doorway now blocked up in the
south wall of the nave was opened, to give access from
92 NOTES UPON U8K CHURCH.
the church to the conventual buildings and cloisters ;
in the original Norman church, the entrance would be
by a west doorway, probably of very rich design, as at
Chepstow Church. The arcade, which is of transitional
Norman, or very early English type, consists of four
obtusely pointed arches, carried on circular piers and
responds, with moulded caps and plain splayed bases.
It will be observed, upon reference to the drawing,
that the pillar marked 0, the first from the east end, is
different from the others, in having four slender attached
shafts, and I think that this difference was intended to
mark the line of the chancel of the' parish church, and
that probably the door at the north-eastern angle of
the aisle was the priest's door. If we assume that a
screen extended the entire length of the arcade, it will
be seen that the north aisle then becomes a separate
church for the parishioners of Usk, as was the case at
Leominster Priory Church.
The next important addition made was in the Per-
pendicular period ; and from the character of the
work I think the additions of this period, which con-
sist of the north and west porches, the insertion of
three windows in the north wall, and the same number
in the south wall, were probably made about the latter
end of the fifteenth century, and are of a type common
in this district. It appears to me that this was
about the time when the later alterations were made,
a period of great church restoration throughout Mon-
mouthshire and part of Glamorganshire, and that the
work was done by the same men who built the beautiful
Perpendicular churches of Somersetshire.
Tne later additions and windows introduced in 1844
are, unfortunately, but inferior copies in point of detail
of the older and much richer Perpendicular work, and
this is especially noticeable in the tracery of the new
west window. It seems unfortunate that the builders
in 1844 were unable to restore and rebuild the tran-
septs and choir, instead of lengthening the nave west-
wards, which has destroyed the original proportions of
EARLY INSCRIBED STONES. 93
this fine old church ; and it is to be hoped that if any
further enlargement or restoration be attempted, that
it should in that case result in rebuilding the choir and
transepts.
No doubt, excavations in the Priory grounds would
lay bare the original foundations of the missing portions
of the early Norman church.
I am indebted to my assistant, Mr. Telfer Smith, for
the very accurate drawings which illustrate this paper.
Stephen W. Williams, F.R.I.B.A.
Bhayader. April 1886.
EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.
THE ABERCAR STONE.
At the Newport meeting I exhibited rubbings of an
early inscribed stone of the Romano-British period
found at Abercar, Breconshire, and now, in accordance
with the promise then given, supply fuller particulars.
It will be seen that the stone was originally placed in
a vertical position, the lower end being " tenoned" for
that purpose. It is 81 inches in length, 9^ inches
wide, 5 inches thick, and the "tenon" is 10 inches in
length, so as to admit of solidity. It was first dis-
covered by lolo Morganwg in his antiquarian wander-
ings, fixed up as a lintel in a beast-house at Abercar
farm, on the Brecon road, six miles from Merthyr.
Something like^ thirty years ago, the son of lolo Mor-
ganwg, Taliesin Williams, took Mr. Westwood to the
spot, and by him it has been figured,^ but not com-
pletely, only a portion of the inscription being then
visible. The inscription, I take it, reads annicci, but
there is a small part of the stone worn at the top, on
^ Arch. Camh., 3rd Series, vol. iv, p. 162 ; Lwpid. WallicCy Plate
xxxTi, 4, i, p. 64.
94 EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.
the left-hand side, and there is quite sufficient room
for F, in which case the name would be pannicci.
I am indebted to Mr. Llywarch Reynolds, who has
taken a lively interest in the matter, for the following
names, similar to those on the stone. At Lanivet, near
Bodmin : — ^annicvt — Annicuri ?(Hubner, Inscrip-
tiones Britannm ChristiancB, No. 18, p. 7). Cf. "Anni-
coios" C^Liste des mots relev6s sur les monnaies gaul-
oises". — Revfie Celtique^ i, 293).
I can trace no letters after Filius, though there is a
long space blank, but as the stone is covered with
layers of white lime, some may yet come to light. It
is broken in two, and only the top of the t in tvmvlo
is visible. There are remains of a building near Aber-
car farm, which is said by tradition to have been a
chapel. No examination of the heap seems to have
been made, but in the same beast-house as the one
where I found the Abercar stone I obtained from the
wall a fragment about a foot square, containing the
letters etafil. This, like the other, has been seen by
Professor Rhys and Various members, and pronounced
to be of earlier date than the Abercar Stone.
The district has been rich in crosses and inscribed
stones, but they have all disappeared. The Cateri
Stone, describea in Jones's Breco^ishirCy is stated to
have been broken on its way to the Swansea Museum.
This I doubt, having traced it from the Taff Valley to
Merthyr, and thence to a brewery, where, in the altera-
tions and additions to the place, it may have found its
end. The Vaynor Cross is stated to be doing duty as
a milestone. If so, the cross was at the top, and is
now broken off. The milestone stated to be the one is
the next to the cemetery, Cefn Coed.
From the same valley I have obtained a sepulchral
urn, which was found in a small tumulus, and when
discovered contained dark earth and ashes. This urn
and the Abercar Stone are now in my possession.
Charles Wilkins.
Springfield, Merthyr. Nov. 13, 1885.
m , I*
m
'?)
.WlJ
EARLY INSCRIBED STONES. 95
Some years ago, when I made it my business to see
the inscribed stones of Wales, Mr. Wilkins kindly
accompanied me to inspect the Abercar Stone ; but we
found that the inscription was all covered by the door-
way having been walled up, so that we could not see
even the letters which Prof. Westwood had read when
he visited the spot years previously. Since then Mr.
Wilkins has never lost sight of the stone, and the
Association is much indebted to him and Mrs. Davies,
the owner of the farm of Abercar, for extricating this
ancient monument, which is now open to easy exami-
nation on Mr. Wilkins's lawn at Merthyr Tydfil. I
visited it, with my friend Mr. Llywarch Reynolds, in
the course of the Newport meeting of the Association
last summer, and the reading we then thought pro-
bable was the following :^
[aInnicci filivs
[hjiCIACIT feCVRI IN hOC TVMVLO.
I am, however, not sure that the first N is not rather
an A : in that case, one would have anicci instead of
[aJnnicci. As to the obliterated a, there was a letter
under it in the other line, which allows itself to be
guessed an h. But of the damaged letters the worst
is that which I have here represented as a long s.
Nevertheless, no part of the letter can be said to be
gone, but a bit of the stone adjoining the top of it
having somehow disappeared, leaves the upper portion
of the letter undefined. The lower part, however, was
perpendicular, so I regard it as having been the same
sort of 5 as that in singno on the Caldy Stone (Hubner,
No. 94 ; Lapidarium Wallice, Plate 52), or as the ss in
Trenegassi on the Cilgerran Stone (Hubner,108; Lapid.^
Plate 53). This, it will be seen, would not stand alone
as a minuscule in the Abercar Stone ; for there we find
one h (I think two), and the rounded « is more minus-
cule than otherwise.
^ It is not intended to lead the reader to suppose thai the e is
smaller in size than the other letters.
96 EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.
Among other characteristics of the lettering, it may
be mentioned that the N has its first limb longer than
the others, especially in in. The letters Li form the
usual ligature, the i falling below the line and attached
to the extremity of the l. I am not sure that any
writing followed Filius in the same line. As to the
Latinity of the inscription I have nothing to say,
except that I take securi to stand for the adverb secure:
I do not recollect meeting with it before in any form,
either in Wales or ComwalL
The other stone is important, as seeming to prove
that the burial-place to which both it and the other
belonged was at Abercar. My notes of the fragment
are that it reads eta filt, in better capitals than the
other. I thought I discerned before eta the limb of
another letter, which, from its inclination, I took tohar^
been an m ; but Mr. Phillimore, who has also examined
it, tells me that he reads p. I take fili to be a part
of the word filia, as suggested by the previous name
ending in a, which may, as usual, be safely taken as
indicating a feminine form.
There is a Welsh saying. Lie caiff Cymro y Cais, and
I hope Mr. Wilkins will keep his eye on the building
at Merthyr, in the walls of which he suspects that
another ancient monument lies buried, and all but for-
gotten.
JoflN Rhys.
97
PEMBROKESHIRE RATHS.
On the one-inch ordnance map of Pembrokeshire a line
of earthworks (fourteen in number), reaching from the
slope of Precelly mountains to St. Bride's Bay, are marked
" raths". This, I believe, is the only Welsh district in
which the word occurs. It is of course common
through the length and breadth of Ireland ; is found
in Cornwall (see Glossary of Cornish Names, p. 136),
and enters into place-names in Lincolnshire. Raithhy
occurs twice in that county. So foreign does the word
appear in Pembrokeshire, that many have concluded
the map maker must have been an Irishman, who
termed the earthworks raths, because he had heard
them so called in his own land. Through the kindness
of Captain Dewing, RE., officer in charge of the
survey now in progress, I have been enabled to trace
somewhat as to the authority on which this word
appears in the map.
The original map in survey, one inch, was published
in 1843, and drawn some time before by T. Badgens.
Who he was I have failed to di«cover.
Only a small portion of Pembrokeshire round Mil-
ford Haven has been surveyed on the 25-inch scale.
This was done in 1875, Captain Hill, R.E., being in
charge of the survey. The map meets and merges
into the south-western portion of what I will call rath
land. So far from dropping the word. Captain Hill
marked down j^2;e additional camps a^ raths, viz., those
on Tower Point, Brandy Point, Rickeston, Walwyns
Castle, and Rhosmarket, while he confirms the word at
Three Lakes, the only original rath which is included
in his map. The process of naming a place on
ordnance survey is as follows. Three godfathers are
necessary ; these must be the three best local men who
can be found, and they must be unanimous as to the
5th bsb., yoL. UT. 7
98 PEMBROKESHIRE RATHS.
pronunciation of the word. The names of these
persons are then recorded, and the word entered on
the map. I have seen a list of the persons who were
consulted by Captain Hill, and who are responsible for
the naming these earthworks raths ; they consist of a
baronet, three landowners, a clergyman, and certain
substantial tenant farmers. I find from inquiries I
have made that "old people" on the Precelly slope
know the word well. About Haverfordwest it is
exclusively applied to one earth work, that near Wiston
Mill by the side of the South Wales Railway.
On the shores of St. Bride's Bay the word is familiar.
The Rev. J. O. Harris, rector of Walton West, writes
me : " I find there are very few adults in the parish,
who do not know what a rath is. An old woman this
morning (Feb. 20th, 1886) pointed out to me five raths:
Muslake (Musselwick ?), Broadmore, Talbenny Parish ;
Rosepool, . Walwyns Castle, Walwyns Castle Parish;
Haroldston or Drewson, Haroldston Parish." The
word is pronounced wraithe in Pembrokeshire.
Professor Rhys, in a letter to the writer, March 3rd,
1886, says, " I can offer no other account of the origin
of the word rath, than it is the Irish word raith, in
which the th has for many centuries been either mute
or sounded H. The Welsh form occurs in the com-
pound Bedd rawd, a tomb, literally a grave rath, and
gauaf rawd, a winter dwelling ; but the simple term is
obsolete so far as I know, nor do I know of any place-
name in which it occurs. Dr. Murray, who is working
on the great English dictionary, assures me there is no
English origin for the word." Professor Rhys is dis-
Eosed to think the occurrence of this term in Pem-
rokeshire is due to Mr. Badgens' Irish proclivities, and
to the sheep-like fashion in which folks follow one
another. The fact that the name is spreading certainly
adds strength to this suggestion. But on the other
hand, to the extreme north-east of the line of raths is
a camp which is called " Moat", and has given its name
to a manor-house belonging to Sir Owen Scourfield,
PEMBROKESHIRE RATES. 99
Bart. Now, I believe camps are very frequently
termed " moats" in Ireland ; so it would be reasonable
to conclude that the a^oining xaths were named by
the same people at the same time that Moat took its
name.
The Scourfields of Moat are a very old Pembroke-
shire family. According to Fenton, p. 354, they have
resided at Moat since the days of Edward I ; at all
events, John Scourfield, Esq., of New Moat, was High
Sheriff for the county in 1600.
Without assuming that these words Rath and Moat
are relics of the original Gaelic inhabitants of Pem-
brokeshire, we must remember that the Irish have immi-
grated into the county in very great numbers in com-
paratively recent times. In the reign of Henry VIII
they were said to be dangerously numerous, while
George Owen assures us that at the end of the six-
teenth century "they are soe powdrid among the
inhabitants of Rous and Castell Martyn, that in every
village you shall finde, .the 3rd, 4th, or 5th house
holder an Irishman, and now of late they swarme more
then in tymes past, by reason of their warres in Ire-
land." This, I think, gives all the pros and cons for
the worth rath, except the most decisive one. Does it
occur in old deeds, etc. ? That I cannot tell.^
t Edward Laws.
^ Will Bome of onr other Pembrokeshire members investigate this
point?— Bdd. a, C.
7«
100
TREDEGAR HOUSE, MONMOXJTHSHIRE.
The present red brick mansion has always been said to
have been designed by Inigo Jones. It was not, how-
ever, built till after his death, probably owing to the
unsettled state of the country during the civil wars.
The house was built by WiUiam Morgan of Tredegar,
whose initials, interlaced, appear underneath or within
the carving over the fireplace in the gilt drawing-room.
The house seems to have been finished in 1672, as that
date is seen on a glass sun-dial in the window of the
cedar evidence-room, and on the door of the cellar is
cut*' Roger Lewis Butler, 1674". The gilt drawing-
room bears a strong resemblance to the rooms of many
Italian palaces, and the altars of the Italian churches
of the seventeenth century seem to have suggested the
chimney-piece.
The tradition is that the fresco painting on the
ceiling of the oak drawing-room was the work of
an Italian artist, who died shortly after its comple-
tion ; that it subsequently fell down, and was again
put up, and daubed up by the workmen of the
country. The artist was probably Isaac Fuller, an
artist who painted wall and ceiling at this time, and
died 1692. There was, however, previously, an ancient
mansion, which the family had inhabited for several
centuries ; this was mentioned by Leland in his
Itinerary, circa 1540, as being **a very fair place of
Stone", and as a " Manor Place' . Of this, all that now
remains is the servants' hall, which was the great hall
of the original mansion, and is probably five hundred
years old. The dais, raised one step above the
remainder of the hall, remained till 1812, when the
hall was newly paved. The last quartering in the
shield in the dining-parlour window is that of Blanche,
heiress of Therrow, wife of William Morgan, who
built the house.
TREDEGAR HOUSE. 101
In 1404 Owen Glyndwr ravaged WentUwch, and
destroyed everything, houses and churches, and burn-
ing Newport Castle, so that when the inquisition was
made the return of the value of the lordship was " nil".
The churches of St. Bride and Peterstown were
rebuilt, as shown by the architecture, in the beginning
of the centuiy, when additions were made to St.
Woolos Church, and the castle was gradually rebuilt.
The mansion house was most probably rebuilt at that
period, as the batter of the old walls and the lower
grate in the servants' hall seem to indicate.
The great iron gates in front of the house were
erected in 1714 by John Morgan, Esq., and over the
centre gates are his arms impaled with those of his
wife, Martha Vaughan of Trebariad, and in the medal-
Uons are his initials, J. M., interlaced. The gates
weighed 25,050 lb., and at Id, per lb. cost £104 7s. 6d.
It appears from some letters written by Mr. Bryan,
the steward at Tredegar, to his master. Judge Advocate-
General Thomas Morgan, that, on his succeeding to the
estate on the death of his nephew, William Morgan,
he in the year 1766 did much to the mansion house of
Tredegar in the way of repairs, painting, etc.; and as
Miss Elizabeth Morgan (afterwards wife of Wm. Jones,
Esq., of Clytha), becoming possessed of the personal pro-
perty of her brother William in consequence of his
dying intestate, removed nearly all the furniture from
the house to a barn in the vUlage of Bassaleg, where
much of it was spoilt, the house was refurnished by
Thomas Morgan, and therefore much of the present
furniture was put in by him. The only original fur-
niture now remaining consist of the great cedar table
in the haU, a marquetrie table in the gilt drawing-
room, a marquetrie looking-glass belonging to it in the
tapestry-room, and a baby's chair in the lumber-room
over the servants' hall.
In 1766 the dining-parlour, then called the great
parlour, was floored with Dutch oak and painted by
painters from Bristol; and since then, as far as my father
102 ORIGIN OF THE KAME TREDEGAR.
could remember, it has never been painted. It appears
that some picture-frames were sent to Bristol, most
probably to be regilt, and it is very likely that many
pictures were then framed, as many of the frames of
that date correspond in pattern. The great clock at
the stables was put up in that year. The earlier dock
was said to have struck the quarters by boys, like the
old clock formerly at St. Dunstan's, near Temple Bar.
On the sundial in the shrubbery at Tredegar is the
inscription, "Latitude, 51 deg. 45 min., April 20th,
1698." The sundial stood at the head of the large
piece of water, which was formed by Mr. Muckle about
1 790, and must therefore have been brought from some
other place.
C. O. S. M.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME TREDEGAR.
The meaning and derivation of this name has been
much disputed. Tredegar, in Monmouthshire, is the
ancestral home of the Morgans, whose family, there is
every reason to believe, was established there at the
beginning of the twelfth century, as Bledri ap Cadivor
Vawr, the direct lineal ancestor of the family, was
witness to a charter of Roger de Berkerolles, who was
then living and dwelt close by, which charter granted
to the Abbey of Glastonbury the tithes of one division
of the parish of Bassaleg, which was constituted at
that time, and in which parish Tredegar is situate ; and
as Bledri died in 11 1 9, it must have been signed very
early in the twelfth century.
There have been many explanations and derivations
of the name of Tredegar given by ingenious persons.
One is a contraction of the Welsh words Troed-y-gaer,
** the foot of the camp", because there is an ancient earth-
work on a hill in the park opposite the house, called,
as many Welsh forts are, "the Gaer". Another is Tre-
ORIGIN OF THE NAME TREDEGAR. 103
deg-dr, " the homestead of ten plough-lands". Another
was Tre-deg-erw, " the mansion, home, or dwelling of
the ten acres". Others thought that ten acres was but
a small piece of land for so large an estate, and fancied
it might be Tri-deg-erw — three ten acres, or thirty
acres. Another idea has been that it may be Tre dau-
gaer^ " the home of the two forts", as there is another
earthwork on a hill in front of the house. These will
serve to show what a charmingly fertile language the
Welsh is for persons who like to speculate in deriva-
tions. The name ''Tre-deg-erw" is found in old
English letters in the Ordnance Map, as if it were an
accredited ancient name ; but how it got there is a
mystery, for there is no such place, nor ever was such
a name or place that anyone now living can recollect
or ever heard of, and there never was any field of ten
acres to have given the name, I well remember the
county being surveyed for the Ordnance Map by the
engineers in 1820, and can only imagine that they got
hold of this name from the conjecture of some ingenious
person trying to explain the name Tredegar. The most
obvious derivation, and which is the true one, does not,
however, seem to have occurred to these ingenious
persons.
The word ire/* (pronounced trev), before a consonant,
tre, means, not a single house, which would be ty, but
the dwelling-place, chief mansion, or homestead of
some important person, with necessary ofl&ces, stabling,
and outbuildings for the accommodation of the family
of servants necessary for the performance of such
various duties as would be requisite, and was in fact
rather a group of buildings analogous to the German
Heim or Ham, and thus came to signify a village and
subsequently a town. There could not, therefore, have
been ten trefs together. The tref generally took its
name from that of the owner or founder of the dwelling
— as Tre-gwilym, Tre-madoc, Tre-gunter, etc.; though
sometimes the name was derived from the situation, or
some other circumstance, as Tre-goed, the mansion of
104 ORIGIN OF THE NAME TREDEGAR.
the wood ; as Tre-castle, from the vicinity of a castle,
as Trecastle, in Carmarthenshire, Englished into Castle-
ton — and there is no doubt that Tredegar took its
name from the first founder or owner, whenever he may
have lived, and the name, as is usual, has continued to
the present day.
The earliest mention of the name which I find in
writing is in an old copy of a poem of Gwilym Tew, a
Welsh poet who lived in the fifteenth century, for there
are no very early deeds to be found in which it is
mentioned by name. The property having been in the
family for so many centuries, the original charter or
grant, if there ever was one, may have been lost or
destroyed. Tredegar is situated in the ancient lord-
ship marcher of WentUwch | and being freehold, was
most probably granted to our ancestor Bledri ap Cadivor
Vawr (whose father, a Pembrokeshire chieftain, was
buried at Carmarthen in 1084), by Robert FitzHamon,
after his conquest of Glamorgan and WentUwch from
the ancient Welsh prince, lestyn ap Gwrgant, about
1100, and it is probable that any charter or other such
document may have been destroyed when Owen
Glyndwr ravaged WentUwch with fire and sword in
1404.
The poet GwUym Tew, or William the Fat, flourished
between 1430 and 1470, and presided at a Gorsedd in
Glamorgan in 1460, about which time he wrote a com-
plimentary poem in praise of Sir John Morgan of Trede-
gar, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, whom in the title
he styles Syr Sion ap Morgan o Dre-Degyr; and again
in the poem itself he writes the name Tre-Degyr, the
t and a being in the Welsh language interchangeable
consonants. The Tre and Degyr in both instances are
separated by a hyphen, and Degyr in both instances
has a capital 2), indicating a proper name. In a MS.
of the seventeenth century, in the possession of the
late Mr. S. K.Bosanquet, is this statement, *'The
house of Tref-ddigr, holden by inheritance of blood
from time to time, is the most ancient in all Wales."
ORIGIN OF THE NAME TREDEGAR. 105
** Teigr ap Tegonwy was an ancient prince in King
Arthurs time." The t being changed into d- for the
sake of euphony, the place is again called "Tref-Deigr";
and though Teigr may be as mythical a personage as
King Arthur, this is strong presumptive evidence that
there was such a traditionary personage connected
with this place, at whatever time he may have lived.
Again, in a pedigree by Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt,
made about 1660, and now amongst the Hengwrt
MSS. at Peniarth, the name is written, ''Thomas
Morgan de Dref-degyr, Esq." From this evidence it
seems to me clear that Tredegar received its name
from its early possessor, whose name was Teigr, though
when he lived or who he was is not known, but his
name was attached to his tref^ or homestead, and has
continued to this day, as is the case with an adjoining
hamlet in the same parish, which now retains its name
of Tre-gwilym, which it derived from being the trefy
residence, or homestead, of William de BerkeroUes, a
Norman who came over at the Conquest, and was
father to Roger de BerkeroUes before mentioned, who
built a small castle adjoining it, which, after the
Norman usage, he called Rogerstone ; and both names
are retained at the present day, the one being the
Welsh name of the tref and hamlet, and the other the
name of the manor founded by Roger, the builder of
the small castle, a scanty fragment of the wall of
which stUl exists.
OcTAVius Morgan.
106
CARVED POWDER-FLASK OF STAG'S HORN
FOUND NEAR HAY.
This interesting object was exhibited at the Newport
Meeting in 1885 by Miss Be van of Hay Castle, who
has also obligingly supplied the accompanying account
of its discovery.
" Some few years ago the railway-bridge which crosses
the Dulas close to Hay Station was enlarged, and while
digging the new foundations in a garden on the left
bank of the Dulas, the horn was discovered. Some
other relics were found at the same time, but were un-
fortunately lost before I heard of them. The owner of
the garden described them as part of a sword and a
silver thimble. The latter probably belonged to the
horn, as the centre part appears to have been finished
off in some way. The horn is that of a red deer, and
POWDER-FLASK OF STAGES HORN. 107
18 of unusual size. The Dulas is the border stream
between England and Wales, and being just outside
the town-walls of Hay, its banks would have been a
likely place for a fight."
The horn was evidently a powder-flask. Its depth is
6 inches ; and its breadth at the top, 3 inches ; and
circumference, 7 inches ; and at the bottom, 5 and 1 1
inches respectively. The carving is apparently foreign,
and represents Our Saviour at tne Well of Samaria. It
is of the sixteenth century. Others of a somewhat
similar character are engraved in Meyrick and Skelton s
Ancient Armour, vol. ii, PI. cxxiv. The figures are
3| inches high. The woman, habited in cloak and tip-
pet, is shown drawing up a water-bucket from the
well ; which, however, instead of being represented as
"deep", is built above ground to hold tne bubbling
spring. The look of inquisitive surprise upon the
woman^s countenance is well rendered. On the other
side of the well Our Saviour is represented standing,
not " sitting", with a nimbus round his head, and a
face marked by weariness and meekness. The character
of the scene is further sustained by the sacred symbol
carved on the wheel (forming thus a cross within a
crown) over which the rope is drawn to raise the water-
vessel.
Whatever may be thought of the appropriateness of
such a scene for such an object, it is evident, from
other instances, that it was not uncommon in such con-
nection. Perhaps it may have been intended to remind
the soldier that he was to bear himself as a servant of
Christ, and to teach roughly that the Church's work
on earth was militant.
It will be observed from the engi-aving, in which
Mr. Worthington G. Smith has represented the original
very faithfully, that the base of the horn has been
capped with a silver lid for the purpose of filling ; and
in like manner the nozzle of the projecting point in the
centre tipped for priming, with, no doubt, the so called
" silver tnimble" found at the same time near it. The
1 08 MERIONETHSHIRE
tines on either side have been sawn oflF close, and of
course originally plugged up, though now empty and
open. Holes on either side show where it was attached
to the strap by which it was carried, slung over the
shoulder. The back of the horn is in its original rough
and unpolished state.
The position of Hay on the banks of the Wye, guard-
ing the pass by that valley out of the Marches of Wales
into Breconshire, was the scene of frequent skirmishes
and fierce onslaughts, not only from the time that Ber-
nard Newmarch settled his trusty lieutenant, Sir Philip
Walwyn, in possession, to the time when the Castle
was destroyed in the border wars of Owen Glyndwr in
1403, but throughout the later Wars of the Roses and
the troubles of the Commonwealth ; and probably we
shall not be wrong if we assign to this last occasion the
loss of the relic which has thus at length been brought
to light again.
D. R. T.
MERIONETHSHIRE SIX HUNDRED YEARS
AGO.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
In a former article, read at the Bala Meeting of the
Association in 1884, and printed in vol. i, Fifth Series,
pp. 272-284, we have given some account of the civil
and manorial features of the county at the end of the
thirteenth century. In the present we propose to do
the like service by its ecclesiastical conditions, and
especially its monastic appropriations.
Our main authorities for this purpose will be the
Taxatio Ecclesiastica of a,d. 1291 (best known as Pope
Nicholad Taxation)^ and the charters of the several
religious houses connected with' the county. Several
of uie names there given we have hitherto failed to
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 109
identify. Those that we have made out we have en-
closed within brackets ; the others we shall be glad to
be enlightened upon by those who have the means of
doing so.
From the Taxatio Ecclesiastica we learn that the
county was divided in a.d. 1291, as it is still, between
the two dioceses of Bangor and St. Asaph, and that
the line of demarcation between them coincided with
that of the principalities of Powys and Gwynedd. In
the Bangor diocese there were three rural deaneries,
Talybont, Estimaner, and Ardudwy ; and in St. Asaph
two, Edeimion and Penllyn. These deaneries corre-
sponded with the civil commotes, and contained re-
spectively the following parishes, viz. : —
Edeimion^ six, e.g., Corwen with its four portionists
and a vicar ; Llansantffrdid ; Gwyddelwern, a rectory
and a vicarage, — the former appropriated to the ten
vicars choral of St. Asaph ; Llangar ; Llandrillo ; and
Llanaelhaiam, which has subsequently been incor-
porated in Gwyddelwern.
Penllyn^ five, e.gr., Llandderfel, Llanfor, a rectory in
two portions, and a vicarage ; Llanycil, and Llanuthlyn
(Llanuwchllyn), each a rectory and a vicarage ; and
Llangower.
The Bangor deaneries are not so fully enumerated ;
their names are not all given ; but the *' two deaneries
of Meryonnid" are sufficiently indicated by their de-
scription as " the Benefice of Griffin the Dean", and the
*^ Benefice of the other Dean" in Tewyn, with its two
portions and its chaplain, to refer to Talyhonty of which
Dolgelley was the head ; and Estimaner, of which
Towyn was the mother church. The deanery of Ar-
dudwy is, indeed, mentioned by name, but no details
are added to show the parishes comprised within it.
We may, however, supply these items from the list of
old parish churches, with this result, viz., —
Ardudwy eleven : Festiniog, Llanaber, Llandanwg,
Llanbedr, Llanenddwyn, Llanddwywe, Llanfair, Llan-
fihangel y Traethau, Llandecwyn, Llanfrothen, and
Trawsfynydd.
110 M ERIONETHSHIRE
Estimaner four : Towyn, Llanfihangel, Talyllyn, Penal.
Talyhont five : Dolgelley, LlanelTtydy Llanfachreth,
Llanegryn, and Llangelynyn.
We find thus in the county, at that period, thirty-
one benefices, of the gross annual value of £144 IO5.;
but many of them, it will be seen, were only vicarages,
the great or rectorial tithes of which had oeen appro-
priated to monastic houses or other religious founda-
tions. Such were Llanfachreth, Llanelltyd, and Llan-
egryn, to Cymmer Abbey, Llanuwchllyn to Basing werk,
Gwyddelwern to St. Asaph Cathedral.
The Bangor portion of the county was then, as it is
still, in the archdeaconry of Merioneth, which is the only
archdeaconry in North Wales that has retained its inde-
pendence through all the intervening vicissitudes down
to the present day, the others having been united at
one time or another to their respective bishoprics. In
the second volume of the First Series of the ArchcBoh-
gia Cambrensis (1847, p. 19) an engraving is given of
the archdeacon's official seal, which we now reproduce.
together with this description : " The design is one of
common occurrence in Continental iconography, and in-
dicates the Father seated on a throne, with the Son
crucified between His knees, and the Holy Ghost, in
the form of a dove, proceeding from the mouth of the
First Person in the Holy Trinity. The same repre-
sentation is to be met with, on a larger scale, upon a
monumental brass of the Bulkeley family in the chancel
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. Ill
of Beaumaris Church. Below is a Death head with a
garland, emblematical of the victory over death. It is
now in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford."^
The St. Asaph portion, a century earlier, must have
formed part of the archdeaconry of Powys ; but this
appears, in the interval, to have been absorbed in that
of St. Asaph, which was finally united to the bishopric in
1573, and so continued till 1844, when it was revised,
and subdivided into those of St. Asaph and Mont-
gomery ; to the latter of which, representing part of
ancient Powys, the two Merionethshire deaneries were
attached. They were, however, in 1882 again trans-
' ferred to that of St. Asaph.
The religious houses and their appropriations will
occupy a much larger space, and we will treat them in
something of the order of their importance, reserving
the first place to the one local foundation of** Cyroraer"
as it is always called in printed records, although locally
known almost solely as " Vanner".
I. CYMMER ABBEY.
From the confirmation charters of Llewelyn ap lor-
werth. Prince of North Wales, dated a.d. 1209,* to the
Abbot and monks of Kemmer, of the Cistercian order
and Benedictine rule, serving God and the Blessed
Virgin, we learn that the Abbey was founded by Mere-
dydd and Gruflfydd,' the sons of Cynan (who, with his
1 The initials R. N., and the date, " Ruthin, Oct. 22'\ show the
writer to have been Richard Newcome, Warden of Ruthin, 1804-51,
and Archdeacon of Merioneth, 1834-57.
' Dngdale's Monasticfm,
* Gruffydd ap Cynan==
Owen Gwynedd= Cadwaladr, lord of Meirionydd
Cynan"=f Howel
I
Meredydd, lord of Llyn and Meirionydd, Gruffydd==
deprived by Llewelyn ap lorwerth Howell.
112 MERIONETHSHIRE
brother Howell, had seized Meirionydd, in 1148, firom
their uncle Cadwaladr, the brother of Owen Gwynedd),
and that associated with them, probably as a later
benefactor, was Howel, the son of Gruffjdd.
This charter^ enumerates the lands, with their bound-
aries, which had been granted to the Abbey. The
names in their printed form are veiy unintelligible ;
but partly by thinking out the sounds they may have
represented to a Saxon ear, and partly by substituting
for letters which a Saxon scribe knowing nothing of
the meaning of the names might have mistaken, other
letters similar in form, we have been able, with the aid
of an Ordnance Map, to identify them to a large extent.
Thus, starting from "Aberydon", alias *' Albedrydon"
(Abereiddew), and crossing " Eskeryndone"* (Esgair
Eiddew) to the river *' MidhuF (Fidwl), which rises in
Irobell (Rhobell), and flows between " Yrhanolwen'*
(Hafodwen) and " Tir manew" (Namiau) to the river
*' Mahuweth'' (Mawddach), or rather one of its feeders ;
thence to the " Erill" (Cefn yr Eryr), thence to the top
of **Ydhualt'' (Y Dduallt), on to the source of the
**Menach" (Mynach) ; thence to the '*Creon" (Afon
Creunan), which is the boundary between Meryonyth
and Penrellyn (Penllyn). On the other side of the
" Mannehec'^ (Mynach). " Cumdadhd" (Cwm y dolan ?)
to "Ydymant" (Nantddu), and on to the borders of
'VPenllin".
South of the Wnion, and adjoining the above, we
have " Egeirkawr" (Esgair gawr, near Drws y Nant
Station), ^'Cuykawr inter Kawr et Haynnawe" (i.e.,
Crug Cawr, between the Cawr and Harnog), ** Bryn-
betwyn", Y Ddolwen, " Kenenkrewnan" (Cefn Cruan),
" Yranockelynawe", " Nantykeiliochou'' (Hafod and
Nant Helygog), " Brythgwm" and " Martnam^' (March-
nad), "cum integris terminis et pertinentiis suis".
Another portion lay in the mountains east of Aber-
llefeni, where we have " Llwydyarath" (Llwydiarth, on
^ Pat., 8 Henry Vf, Part I, m. 6, " Per Inspex."; Pat, 6 Bdw. Ill,
Part II, m. 9, " Per Inspex."
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 113
the Dulas, near Bwlch y Tri Ardwyddi), '' Kellyleth",
*'Kellynorlem', " Moylly wydyath" (Moel Llwydiarth),
"Respoldydre", " Kinnygerh wyn" (C wmygerwyn), " Buli-
tifrie" (Bwlch y Tri Arglwyddi), "YkychuF, "Cum-
kelly (Cwm Celli), " Ryallathhidwyn", " Esgeiraneryn''
(Esgaimeirion), and *' Y Kumkorsawe" (Cwm Corsog,
qu., Coris).'
The next series of names I have, however, been un-
able as yet to identify. " Cunningwernach" (Cynning-
wern fach), " Riccarneth" (Crug carnedd), " Keneny",
" Kellynllhwyn", ''Tannoth" (? Cefn y Celyn, Llwyn-
ffawydd), " Wllymarch'' (Pwll-y-march in the Vale of
Artro), *'Broneunwch'V* Acria Lewelyn preconis", "Hal-
neythey", " Ryhukweryth", and ** Bodychwyn''.
Of the names that occur next in order, most of them
are to be found in Llanegryn and Llangelynin, such as
•* Body wyn'' (Bod-Owen)," Hyrdyr Llanegryn'V^ Redy-
nor" (Rhedynoc), "Enyawn"(Pant Einion),"Ada","Bar-
edyn" (Bredyn), " Vill Crennays" (Trevaes), " Graenny-
falch'' (Gwaunybwlch),"Acra Kennedir"(qu., Cynydd),
"Kelly Wassarauc" (Gelli Sarog), "Golewernkennahet"
(Goleuwern and Cjrfannedd).
In the province or commote of Ardudwy are enu-
merated " Llanhuldut" (Llanelltyd), " Cunigwenyn''
(Cwm Gwnin), " Moylesbryn" (Moel Ispri ; written in
old parish- book, " Moel-is-bryn"); '* Kesseylgum'' (Ce-
sailgwm), " Cum Meneyth" (Cwm Mynach), and all the
lands between the Keyn and Maudhu (the Cain and
the Mawddach). Their boundaries come in the follow-
ing order: *' Gwynnenyth" (Gwynfynydd), "Gwervy-
undeyew" (Gwernyfeidiog), ** Nantygaranew", " Algayn^'
(qu., Y Foel in Dolgain), " Nazithir ' (Nanthir), '' Beth-
yresgyw" (Bedd yr esgyrn ; qu., Bedd Porius)," Yney-
dyawe" (Yfeidiog), " Nant y Moch''(c/! Dolymoch), and
the Cain. The top of '' Nigri Montis" ( Y Dduallt),
" Llyn Phelycymoch" (the Lake on Ffridd Helyg y
Moch), above Erylyfedwen, to " Palus Mycyneleyn^' (the
bog, Y Figin, near the Lake), to the '* Lin" (Lliw), which
5th sbr., vol. III. 8
114 MERIONETHSHIRE
is the boundary between Ardudwy and Penllyn and
Mandhu (Mawadwy).
A few names then occur which I have not sufficiently
made out, e.gr., '^Abkeyn" (Aber Cain), "Llwynyrhic",
*'Y Kennycllwydyon'' (Cerrigllwydion), "Heskyn du'*
(Heskyn ddu), " Yrhanortanolawe ', " YbwUellwyth",
" dolicancion'' (Dolau), near "Nanheu" (Nannau).
The next series is easily identified : — *'Iralltlhwyt"
('RaUt Lwvd), " Heskyn'^ (Cwm Heskyn), " Dynaste-
lery" (which appears to be the full name of Craig y
Dinas, e.g., Dinas Talyr^), " Cukedryn" (Crug Edryn ;
prob. Craig Adeiyn), " Ryhukenerthuc", "Pennarth-
wonawe", '* Nantylastegwaret" (Nantglas ; cf. Pantglas),
" Nantyrhendy", " Bethicoydhur" (Beddycoedwr), and
" Ywenallt" (qu., part of Gwynfynydd).
The rest of the Abbey property being in Lleyn, does
not fall within the compass of this notice ; and it only
remains to note that the mineral resources of the dis-
trict were not unknown to the monks, who had con-
firmed to them the right of digging for metals and
treasures within their property, — '* in metallis et the-
sauris eflfodiendis".
II. BASIKGWERK ABBEY.^
It is not known when or by whom this establishment
was first founded ; but it was in existence, though not
of the Cistercian order, before the year a.d. 1119.
Before the time of Henry II, however, a.d. 1154-
88, it had been refounded as a Cistercian house, for
the king by his charter confirms the grants to it of
Handle II, Earl of Chester, 1128-53, and other barons.
Hugh Cyveiliog, the son and successor of Handle in
the earldom, who died in 1181, was also a benefactor ;
and about the same time Owain Brogyntyn, lord of
Edeirnion and Dimnael, gave the ** Vill of Wenhewm"
(Gwernhefin), " with all its inhabitants and appurte-
nances'', and also " a certain water in Penthlinn called
^ See Arch, Camh, vol. i, p. 97 (1846), for account of this Abbey.
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 115
Thlintegid or Pimblemere, and all the pasture of the
said land of Penthlin." This deed was witnessed by
Reyner, Bishop of St. Asaph, 1186-1224, and by Ithel,
O wain's chaplain. David, however, the son and suc-
cessor of Llewelyn ap lorwerth, Prince of Wales, in a
Confirmation Charter, dated 1240, states that *'the
lands and pasturage in Penllyn were the donation of
the Lord Llewelyn, his father", and that the " Vill of
Wenhewm" only was the gift of Owain Brogyntyn,
" confirmed by Helysus", his nephew and successor, viz.,
Elisse ap Madoc ap Meredydd, whom we shall meet
with again as a large benefactor to the Abbey of Strata
Marcella.
The ** measures and divisions which are named in my
father's charter'* are not within our reach, otherwise we
might identify them, as in the case of Cymmer Abbey.
In the Taxatio of a.d. 1291 they are described as
** Grang* de Kellynng cu' Penlyn quatuor caruc' & d'i cu'
redd' & aliis com'od, 2:10:0 dec. 55. (The Grange of
Kellyng with Penllyn, four ploughlands and a half
-with rents and other conveniences, £2 1 05. tenths, 65.).
Whether, however, this Grange of " Kellynng" refers
to some place in Penllyn or in the neighbourhood of the
Abbey, does not clearly appear certain ; but I rather
incline to think it refers to their Grange at " Y Gelli",
Dear Whitford, for this property could hardly have
deteriorated so much in value as to be farmed out in
A.D. 1535 to Robert ap Res for £1 165. 8d.^
This Robert ap Rhys was the third son of Rhys ap
Meredydd of Plas lolyn, standard-bearer of Henry
the Seventh at Richmond, and himself the chaplain
and cross-bearer to Cardinal Wolsey, and father of Dr.
Elis Price of Plas lolyn, of Cadwaladr Price of Rhiwlas,
and Richard, Abbot of Aberconway, and Hugh, also an
abbot. Sir Robert, besides these lands of the Abbey
of Basingwerk, also became the possessor of those
^ " County of Merioneth, commote of Penllyn. — ^Value in Ferm of
yanons lands and tenements therein, per ann., thus let to Robert
ap Ees, £1 : 16 : 8." (26 Hen. VIII.)
8»
116 M ERlONETflSHIRE
attached to the cell of Mochraiadr, belonging to Strata
Marcella. From Sir Robert, through his son Dr. Elis
Price, this property descended to Elizabeth Price,
heiress of Plas lolyn, and lady of the Manor of
Yspytty, who married Robert Edwards of Galltycelyn,
and eventually to Dr. Price Jones of Rhyl, who cut
the entail, and sold both the estate and the advowson
of Llanuwchllyn to Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., M.P.
The story of the advowson is curious. Till the
Reformation it was certainly unappropriated, and is
given in the King's Book, Valor Eccles., 26 Hen. VIII,
as both a rectory, and a vicarage ; and in a trial at
Shrewsbury in 1 682, Bishop Lloyd of St. Asaph, asserted
that Dr. Elis Pryse had got it put into the famous
patent of Tipper and Daw, by whom, being but
trustees, it was assigned to his son, Thomas Pryse and
his heirs. The bishop carried the case, and in a second
trial, in 1684, a second time substantiated his claim,
but was refused possession ; and when the case was
forced on a third time in Bala in 1688, at a time when
the bishop was obliged to be in London, and in spite
of his protest, the verdict was given against him by
default.^ The case was not further contested, and
from that time passed through successive generations
of the family to Dr. Price Jones, who sold it, as already
stated, to Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.
III. YSTRAD MARCHELL, STRATA MARCELLA.
This also was a Cistercian Abbey, founded by Owen
Cyfeiliog in a.d. 1170, in the Vale of the Severn, but
connected with this county by considerable possessions
acquired, partly by gift and partly by purchase, within
a few years of its foundation.
In 1176 a certain '* Hey le with" sold to the aionks
of Strata Marcella, for two pounds and a half of silver,
all his lands in " Esgyngaenog" ; Madoc ap Llywarch,
however, claimed it, but sold his rights therein for one
* Thomas, History of St. Asaph, p. 717.
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 117
pound of silver, and Meredydd ap Howel, the lord of
Edeirnion, granted them full and free possession.
Caenog is a portion of the parish of Gwyddelwern, on
the old road from Bala and Corwen to Wrexham. In
A.D. 1183, Elisse ap Madoc ap Meredith ap Bleddynap
Cynfjm, lord of Edeirnion, cousin of Owen Cyfeiliog,
granted to the same monks, in consideration of three
pounds, the land called " Llecheudin", the bounds of
which have been identified by Mr. Howel Lloyd, as
agreeing with those of the Gydros property in the
north-eastern angle of the commote of Penllyn. They
are enumerated in the charter in the following order.
From Aber Cummein (the junction of the " Cwmmain"
brook with the Geiro) to its source ; thence from Blaen
Cwmmain to Kairrunck ; thence to the ford Rhyd-
Holwen, and up that stream to the source of Nant-
ucheldref; thence downwards toManachduner(Mynach-
dwvr), thence up the stream to the Alarch, and follow
that stream down to the Geiro.
In A.D. 1198, the same Elisse ap Madoc, confirmed to
them the lands of Esgyn Gaenog, already noticed ;
and further, for the consideration of eight pounds,
sold them some land called **Gwothelwern", the bound-
aries of which are given as from "helegluin seith-
uc" (Helyg Llwyn Seithug?) to "gweun" (gwaun or
gwern ?) ; thence to Moel Casseg, and on to the near-
est stream, and till you come to a still larger one.
The same benefactor gave the monks all the land
called " Nantfaith", with its appurtenances. The same
Elisse granted to them, in the province or commote of
Penllyn, part of Keman (Commain) and of Lledwenin
(Bodweni ?), and Pennantmaelgn (Pennant Melangell,
now in Montgomeryshire), and from the bounds of
Rewedauk (Rhiwedog) to Mautho (Mawddwy). He
also confirmed the grant of lands bought by them from
Madoc Hethgam. To these were fui'ther added the
lands of " Blainhiveit'' (Blaen Hirnant).
The lands purchased from Madoc Hethgam have been
identified by Mr. Howel W. Lloyd as follows : —
118 MERIONETHSHIRE
"From Llinheskyn (Lljnhescyn) along Kaletdimer
(Afon Hescyn) to the brook <»lled Bratfos (Brottos),
and thence to the end of the wood (Nant-y-coed), and
onwards in an oblique direction to an upright stone on
the mountain, and thenoe to the top of rutU (Bwlch
y Foel Poeth), and on to the river Tarwerign (Trew-
eryn), following up the stream to the junction of the
Kelin (Celyn), and keep along that brook to the
boundary hne of Penllin and Gwenech (Penlljm and
Gwynedd) ;* thence pass on to Ekelchet (Y Gylchedd),
and so on to the source of the stream Geyro."*
But one of the most interesting grants is that by
Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys, made in 1190, of
" Nantmeichat from its beginning even to Mochraedr".
This mountain dingle lies on the southern side of the
Teweryn river, into which the stream that flows through
it runs from Uyn Arenig. Here was a cell of the
Abbey, and a glance at the Ordnance Map will show
that it was not only conveniently situated for the
management of these far distant possessions of the
mother house, but also specially suited for fulfilling
one of the conditions of the grant, viz., that they
should supply the prince with lodging and entertain-
ment for one night in each year, when he visited this
extreme portion of his dominion ; indeed, it must have
served a similar office here to that of the hospice of
the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem on the other
side of the mountain at Yspytty Ifan. Another con-
dition connected it yet more closely with the mother
establishment, viz,, the annual supply of "two colts of
their superior breed'', which had evident reference to
the Spanish breed of horses which Robert de Belesme,
Earl of Shrewsbury, had introduced into Powys about
the end of the eleventh century. At the dissolution they
fell, as has been already noted under Basing werk, into
the hands of Sir Kobert ap Rhys, whose family became
greatly enriched by the spoils of the monastic houses
with which they had to do.
^ Montgomeryshire Collections, vol. v, pp. 109 et seq.
SIX HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 119
IV. VALLE CRUCIS.
This Abbey was founded by Madoc ap Gruflfydd
Maelor, about the year a.d. 1220, for a colony of
monks from Ystrad Marchell ; but although it acquired
considerable possessions in Denbighshire, it does not
appear to have succeeded to any of the property of the
mother foundation in this county. Indeed, notwith-
standing its proximity and its importance, the only
Merionethshire property it appears to have owned was
a moiety of the township of Mwstwr in Corwen parish,
" Medietat* ville que dicit' Mystuyr cu' om'ib' t'minis
p*tin' suis", granted in the original foundation charter.
V. BEDDGELERT.
This Priory of Austin Canons, founded by Llewelyn
the Great, possessed a certain parcel of land in the
parish of Llanfair, in Ardudwy, mentioned in the
"Extenta Com., Meryonneth", as **ter stent of the
Prior of Bethkelert, and it gives to the lord the prince
per annum 2rf., to be paid at the festivals of Easter
and Michaelmas equally" {Arch. Camb., Series I, vol. ii,
p. 164).
VL KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.
In the adjoining counties of Montgomery and Den-
bigh, the good services of this hospitable brotherhood
have long been attested by their well known establish-
ments at Camo, and Llanwddyn and Dol-y-gynwal ;
the very name of the last of which places got super-
seded, through the reputation of its famous order, by
that of the Hospice of St. John, Yspytty Ivan. But
that they were established in Merioneth does not
appear to have struck anyone until the attempt was
made in 1884 to identify the "homines hospitalis de
Villa de Wona'\ mentioned in the Extent of Merioneth-
shire printed in the Journal of our Association in the
volume for 1867, pp. 183-93. The same place was
written in another part of the document, " Hospitalis
120 MERIONETHSHIRE, ETC.
de Wemias^; and this bore a striking likeness to a
place-name mentioned, with some further particulars,
in the Rotuli WaUicB (p. 94), to the eflfect that "Literae
de acquistantia pro prioreet/ratribushospitalesSandi
Johannis Jerusalem pro terns in Wanas in Merioneth".
With this clue it was not difficult to find its locale in
G wanas at the top of the Pass above Dolgelley, where
the road from that town forks off into two directions,
one leading southwards to Machynlleth and the other
eastwards to Dinas Mawddwy. At this point stands
an old house called Plas G^wanas^ and near it is marked
on the Ordnance Map the suggestive name of " Dol
Yspytty", i.e.f the Hospice Meadow. It was just the
spot for these beneficent hosts to occupy, in order that
they might befriend the travellers who had to cross the
bleak and lonely pass of " Bwlch Oerddrws" on the
Mawddwy side towards Pool and Shrewsbury, or to
traverse the narrow valley of the Corris, towards
Machynlleth, or the wild and beautiful Talyllyn in the
direction of Towyn. Lewis, in his Topographical
Dictionary^ writes, under Dolgelley, that ''ancient
chapel, called Yspytty Gwanas, was formerly situated
on the road to Dinas Mawddwy, about four miles
distant, the site of which is now marked by a few
yew trees"; and in the will of David ap Meuric Vychan
of Nannau, dated 1494, and printed in Origiiial
Documents, pp. 143-44, we find a legacy of 6s, 8d,
for glazing the chapel window. " Item, lego wis. viijd.
ad vitriandum fenestram in hospitale sancti Johannis
baptiste Goanes"
D. RT.
121
UNRESTORED CHURCHES.
It appears to me especially desirable that the volumes
of our Journal should contain descriptive notices and
illustrations of all the noteworthy parish churches in
the Principality, and especially of those which have
hitherto escaped what, for want of a better word, or in
mere irony, has come to be called " restoration". I
would by no means decry the spirit and liberality
which dictates these labours : both are praiseworthy in
the highest degree. The regret is that so many
restorations are injudicious and not according to know-
ledge ; and from the antiquary's point of view, at any
rate, are by no means an unmixed good. Few churches
come out of the ordeal without serious detriment to
their character as time-honoured monuments. Many
of them are bedecked as to their exteriors with scraps
and ends of architectural finery, and bedizened
internally with ill-applied colouring, or bedaubed with
that most pernicious and prevalent of all shams, a
stuccoed imitation of stone, which covers up every
trace of the history of the church more completely
than the honest old whitewash it has superseded.
Such restored churches are out of keeping with their
surroundings, having lost in the process much of that
individuality and character which constituted their
charm, and have become essentially commonplace. As
the number of unrestored churches is daily becoming
less, I hope to give short descriptive notices from time
'to time of such of them as come under my own
observation in the few holidays a busy life affords ;
perhaps more able pens may be induced to carry on
the tale.
The majority of our Welsh rural churches are small,
simple in plan, stern, almost rude, in outline, and with
but little architectural adornment ; still they have a
122 UNRESTORED CHURCHES.
character all their own, and an indefinable charm which
is perhaps bom of their perfect adaptability to purpose,
and their close assimilation with the prevailing charac-
ter of the scenery in which they are placed. So true
is this harmony, that nature has grafted them into her
economy, and decked them lovingly with her choicest
garniture of moss, lichen, and fern. Veritable histories
are they, written in stone. Their early founders have
stamped upon them the impress of their own indi-
viduality. They built in honest singleness of purpose,
and in the hope that when the mouldering touch of
time came to be laid upon their handiwork, there
should then be found skUful hands as weU as loving
hearts to restore again the fane they built in witness
of that faith, which in all essentials descends to us
unbroken ; and he who adds to or needlessly takes
from their handiwork mars the historic page and sins
against posterity.
1. The Church of Llanjihangel-Ahercowyn is a small
ruined structure, situated, as its name implies, at the
junction of the Cowyn with the T^f, about three miles
from St. Clears, and is dedicated to the archangel
Michael. The church has been so long disused for any
appropriate purpose, that there does not appear to be
any recognised road to it, and a way must be found
across the fields. It consists of a nave and chancel of
decorated dat^e, with a tower added afterwards, and
the accompanying sketch-plan, although not drawn
to any scale, and the figures are approximate only,
still, upon the whole, is suflSciently accurate to show
the main features of the church. Small as the nave
is, it has had north and south doors, as well as the one
opening westward into the tower porch, — a provision
for ingress and egress so far in excess of the popula-
tion around and of the space within, that one is
reduced to conjecture what can have been the reason
for such an unusual provision. Can the sheltered bay
and sprit of land on which the church stands have
been a favourite landing-place for pilgrims on their
UNRESTORED CHURCHES.
123
route to the Great Shrine of St. David, and this little
church a station on their road ? Such an assumption
seems in some measure to be warranted by the existence
■/
^
./
-mviaio «o; ji»,r^
Al^^ftTCtf "Vi-^H
of several sepulchral monuments of unusual character
in the churchyard, and locally known as " Pilgrim
Stones", of which more anon. The procession of
pilgrims could thus enter by the south door on their
124
UNRE8T0RED CHURCHES.
way up from the beach, and after prayers and oblations
pass out at the north door, and thus avoid the ap-
pearance even of turning back upon their pilgrimage.
The nave and chancel are both of decorated date, and
from the character of the label mold over the eastern
window it must have been built about the middle of
the fourteenth century. The south door of the nave
and the western one inside the tower porch are alike,
VJ O W X ^'l>o o y^
two centred, while the chancel arch is semicircular,
formed of thin laminated courses of stone, springing
from a boldly designed impost molding, but undoubtedly
of the same date. Its shape and comparative rude-
ness are apt to deceive the unwary into saying it is of
Norman date, whereas it is only of Romanesque cha-
racter. Suchlike arches are very common in Wales,
and I am inclined to think there was a reason which
prompted the retention of this form of chancel-arch in
a period when the pointed arch was used almost
universally for all other features. Eastward of the
south door there is a stoup in the wall, and on the
opposite or north side of the nave is a shallow recess
about four feet long, in the thickness of the wall, and
above the floor-level. It is neither the position nor
the size suitable for a tomb, and I can only conjecture
it may at one time have been the depository for such
another coflfer as that of Saint Beuno at Clynog Fawr
UNRESTORED CHURCHES. 125
in Oaraarvonshire, made to receive the offerings of the
pilgrims.^
Sufficient remains of the newel, stair to the rood-
loft to show that the floor of the latter must have
been under the top of the chancel-arch, low as that is ;
and on various parts of the plaster, which still adheres
to the walls of the nave, may be discerned traces of
the original frescoed ornamentation in chocolate upon
a buff ground ; but the colours are very faint through
long exposure.
Quite at the east end of the side walls of the
chancel are two tall, narrow recesses, whose unusual
shape and position puzzled me considerably. They are
too narrow for seats, and I came to the conclusion they
may have been intended for credences. But why so
tall ? as they are fully five feet in height, and less than
one foot in width or depth.^ The aumbry proper is in
the north wall, as usual.
The east window is a good example of Decorated
date, having two lancet lights with cusped heads
and a quatrefoil over, under a well-cut scroll, label-
mold, and the whole is in sufficiently good preservation.
The tower has evidently been built at a somewhat
later date than the church itself, as the walls, although
built upon, are not bonded into those of the nave.
The external door of the tower porch is exceptionally
low, and four-centred. The tower is so entirely
smothered with ivy, that its upper stages cannot be
seen ; but this doorway, cut clean through the masonry,
and without any rebate for a door, is sufficient to indi-
cate the date. The latter springs from a broadly
splayed base, from which it is divided by a very boldly
designed string-course moulding. This splayed base,
which is so characteristic of the southern and western
churches of Wales, gives an appearance as well as
reality of strength, and induces the belief that such
towers served the double purpose of a defensive post
as well as a bell tower.
^ Arch, Camb., 1868, Third Series, vol. xiv, p. 197.
^ They may have been intended for images.
126
UNRESTORED CHURCHES.
On the south side of the church, and under the
shadow of an ancient and wind-torn yew, lie three of
those monuments locally known as *' pilgrim stones'*,
the centre one of which has been illustrated by Pro-
fessor Westwood, in his article on monumental eflSgies,
in Arch. Camh., 1847, p. 316. The learned professor
is so very accurate an observer, that I am disposed to
think his illustration has been obtained from a rubbing
furnished to him by another, rather than from his own
observation, or he would assuredly have noticed the
fact that the right hand of the figure holds a short
boar-spear or javelin, and from the clouds on either
side of the head of the figure depend sheltering hands.
The efiigy on the right is apparently habited, as the
lower part of the legs and feet only are to be seen,
and a long straight-bladed sword is indicated, but so
far as I could see, no corresponding part for the hilt on
the upper half of the stone. The coped tombstone
has also been described by Professor Westwood in the
article before referred to. The resemblance in the
(JNKESTORED CHURCHES. 127
shape and ornamentation of this stone to the coped
tomb in Bridgend is pointed out by the Rev. E. L.
Barnwell in his description of the latter in the vol. of
Arch. Camh. for 1873.
As these tombs have not hitherto been illustrated in
our Journal I have endeavoured to give a general idea
of them. At the head and foot of each stone is a
smaller one. The one at the head and foot of the
coped tomb has an incised cross of the Maltese type
within a circle. The circle itself, as well as the boss in
the centre of it, and the ornament round the edge of
the stone, is of the cable pattern.
The semi-military character of two of these eflSgies,
as indicated by the sword of one and the spear of the
other, leads us to infer that the occupant of the third
grave was of a more peaceful disposition, if not an
ecclesiastic.^ Professor Westwood and Mr. Barnwell
have given the sum of local tradition concerning
them. The same tale was told to me, with the added
information that unless these graves were kept clear
of weeds the land around would pass from the hands
of its present possessors. As I was at the trouble to
clear away all the nettles and weeds in order to obtain
a good view of these stones, let me hope, if there is
any truth or virtue in tradition, my sedulous labour
in this respect may avert for awhile that disestablish-
ment and disendowment with which we are threatened.
G. E. R.
^ Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary, states that adjoiniog the
churchyard was anciently a hospital, called ** The Pilgrim's Lodge",
bnt no particalars either of its foundation or its history are re-
corded.
128
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENDOME.
Among some manuscript papers which have come to
our hands is one on this subject, written by the late
Mr. R. Perrott of Nantes, a zealous antiquary, well
versed in Breton antiquities, and, according to the
obituary notice in the Journal for 1863 (Third Series,
vol. ix, p. 169), **avery minute and accurate observer."
We are glad, therefore, for the purposes of comparative
archaeology, to reproduce the paper, as well as to recall
attention to the curious information it contains, al-
though we feel bound at the outset to state that we
differ widely from some of his views, and more especi-
ally with regard to the sacrificial use of the dolmen or
cromlech.
The article was written in the form of a critique or
review on t\ie> Archceological History of Venddme, writ-
ten by Mons. J. de P^tigny, and published in 1849.^
The Quarterly Review has an article on Stonehenge,
in, which it is said : "As a general rule these remains
are found on barren moors, on the remote sea-coasts of
Brittany or the Orkneys, where trees never grow or
could grow. On the other hand, though trees and
groves were rife between Ckartres and Rheims (the
ancient country of the Carnutes), not one single Druid-
ICAL remain is to he found within its limits.''
It will be seen, however, that within a small circle
round Vend6me alone there are many dolmens, and at
^ Tlistoire archeologique du YendSmoiSy par ^lons. J. de Petigny,
Correspondant de Tlnstitnt, Aead^mie des Inscriptions et Belles Let-
tres. Dessins et Plans par M. Launay, Professeur de Dessin aa
Lyc6e de Vendome, Correspondant du Comite des Arts et Monu-
ments an Miiiistdre de I'lnstruction publique. Vend6me : Henrion,
Editeur. 1849.
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 129
least one peulvan, or menhir, all attributed to the
Druids pro Celts. In the Departement du Cher they
were formerly common, but are now reduced to a small
number. We believe that the same observation is
applicable to many other Departements. It is said that
many are still to be found in the Chartraine. We hope
to obtain the requisite information. By the bye, Mr.
Horace Marryat says, in his Residence in Jutlandy the
Danish Isles, and Copenhagen, that a lofty dolmen was
pointed out to him at " Stonehenge", the name given
to all such structures by the peasants in those parts
(Jutland).
The dolmens were altars formed of a large stone
called the ** table", placed on two or more upright
stones named " supports". Some savants have supposed
that the dolmens were tombs, because in digging round
them human bones have often been found. These
bones might be those of the victims immolated in the
bloody sacrifices of the Druids.
Thfe Dolmen de Freteval lies on the bank of Le Loir,
near the line of an ancient Roman way from Orleans
to Le Mans, serving as a boundary between the parishes
of Freteval and Pezon, and of the Comt^s or Baillages
de Vend6me and Chateaudun. " Now it was the con-
stant custom of the Gauls to place dolmens (those rude
altars of Druidical worship) on the frontiers of the
cities and pagV
After referring to, but not describing, a small ruined
dolmen near the mill of Villeport, at Saint Hilaire-la-
Gravelle ; another beyond this bourg, between the mill
of Langot and the high road, with a table-stone placed
horizontally on several supports ; and a third on the
left bank of the Loir, at a place called Breuil, remark-
able for its masses of rock overhanging the river, and
in the commune of Brdvainville, M. de Pfetigny pro-
ceeds to the details of that of Freteval.
The table of the dolmen of Freteval is a brute stone,
2 metres wide, 3 metres long, and 65 centimetres thick.
Two big, upright stones served as supports ; but one
5th skr., vol. iil 9
130 CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE.
of them has been thrown down, so that the table-stone
now leant to one side. Its length runs from east to
west. As it never had more than two supports, it is
one of those termed ** inclined'*, because one end of the
table rested on the ground, whilst the other was raised
about a mfetre by the supports. The victims were
slaughtered at the upper part of the table, and the
blood ran to the lower part, tohere is an excavation^ in
form of a basiny to receive the blood. A channel, still
traceable^ conveyed the blood to this basin, into which
the priests dipped their hands and face. Fr^teval is
one of the most curious points in the arrondissement.
Not far from this spot are the well preserved remains
of a small cellay supposed to be of the third century at
least ; about 7 metres square, and of the same height.
Walls, 1 m. 75 centim. thick ; of small appareil, and
ornamented with lines of brick {cordons) at intervals of
43 centimetres. It is called " Tour de Gresset".
Not far from the bourg of Thord, in a vineyard called
" Les Chateaux", have been discovered foundations of
towers or circular buildings, and stone coffins in the
shape of troughs. It is generally supposed that the
use of these coffins does not go farther back than the
period when Christianity abolished the custom of burn-
ing the dead, i.e., in the fourth or fifth century ; but
as the Gauls, prior to the Roman conquest, interred
instead of burning their dead, these coffins may, in
many instances, be much more ancient. Similar ones
are to be found in all the old Gallic localities.
Opposite the village of Thor^, on the other bank of
the Loir, rise lofty rocks bathed by the clear waters of
the river. The steep slopes are hoUowed out in every
direction, and pierced in numerous stories with open-
ings affording entrance to caverns formerly inhabited.
This spot is called " Le Breuil", a name indicating one
of those enclosures, thickly covered with wood and
brushwood, behind which the Gauls were accustomed
to conceal their dwelling-places. The finest grottoes
are found in the upper part of the rock, where also
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 131
they are in a better state of preservation. A staircase
vaulted in semicircular arch, and cut in the rock, leads
to them. We enter first into a vast hall, 10 metres
long by 8 wide, and 2 m. 30 centim. high. At the
bottom of this are two alcoved recesses (reduits en forme
cTalcove). The largest is 3 m. deep by 5 wide. In the
side-walJs and in those of the grand hall exist niches
destined to receive objects used by the inhabitants, or
the sacrijicial instrumentSy if, as there is every reason
to believe, this cavern served as a Druidical temple.
The other recess is about 3 m. 50 centim. in every direc-
tion. Its opening is arched, and all round it runs a
large groove, artistically hollowed in the rock, indicat-
ing the existence of a heavy door, which closed herme-
tically this sort of dungeon, and interrupted all com-
munication with the air and light.^ In the middle of
the floor is a circular hole, like a basin, 30 centim. deep,
and 70 centim. in diameter. On one of the sides is a
low, arched opening communicating with a narrow cor-
ridor, which descended in gentle slope towards the
lower stories ; but the falling in of the earth has inter-
rupted it, and it terminates abruptly by a breach open-
ing perpendicularly over the depths of the valley. This
^ In the Univers Pittoresque, M. A. F. Didot, one of the Editors,
who himself visited the spot, gives a plan and some sketches of " La
Tonr des Grants", a very remarkable Cyclopean monument in the
Island of Gozo. In explaining the plan he says: ''At the spot
marked D on the plan is a hollow inform of a vase^ hewn in the rock
or stone, which appears to have been destined either to contain
the blood of the victims or to consume their remains with fire."
(It is shown on the floor in one of the drawings, and resembles the
hollowed circles described at p. 130. It is one of the sanctuaries. —
R, P.) " F, a passage faced on each side with two large stones, of
which one, G, is 3 feet 6 inches wide, and 8 feet high. In the pass-
age, and near this stone, is a sort of circular vase hollowed in the
9tone [of the floor]. The edges rise 2 or 3 inches above the pave-
ment. What was the destination of this vase, which is about a foot
in diameter P M. De la Marmora thinks that it was destined to
contain water to satisfy the thirst of the doves consecrated to the
PhoBnician Venus or AJstarte." All these surmises, however, would
seem to be worthless in the absence of proof even of the very
slightest description. — R. P.
9«
132 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE.
corridor is lighted by a narrow window ornamented
with rude sculptures. It communicates with the great
hall by a low opening similar to that giving access to
the dungeon. In these two openings are visible traces
of grooves, and of holes for door-hinges.
Two large arches, one 2 m. and the other 4 m. wide,
give light to the great hall. They look toward the
east, and present no appearance of having been closed.
In the mass of rock which separates them, an opening
{tin soupirail)^ blackened by smoke, indicates the fire-
place, in front of which the ground has been " taillS en
carrS" (a sqiuxre hole like the round blood-holes) some
centimetres in depth.
Hence are visible, in the horizon, **Les Rochers de
St.Andr6",which furnish Vend6me with building stone.
Like those of Breuil, they are pierced [percSs) or exca-
vated, in every direction, with caves which are still
inhabited. Tradition acquaints us that one of these
was anciently the den of a serpent which devoured all
passers by till a certain hero, mounted on a chariot whose
wheels were armed with sharp blades, drove at fuU
speed over it, and severed it into three pieces. M. de
Pfetigny attributes all these caves to the Celts. *' The
Gauls", says Csesar, *' are very skilful in working mines,
and in excavating underground passages. There are no
works of this description which are not well known to
and practised by them." {"Hisomne genics cunicidoimm
notum et usitatum est^^) This testimony is confirmed by
provincial tradition and the observation of archaeolo-
gists, who in most parts, and especially in central
France, have recognised the traces of underground
habitations to which the Gallic population retired.
These dwellings are still occupied on the banks of the
Loir, the Loire, and the Cher.
In the middle of the level on the summit of the hill
of Breuil is a tomhelle formed of round pebbles [caillonx
routes), from the top of which is clearly visible the
*' Tombelle of Tr6o'', to be spoken of presently. Tom-
^ CaDsar, De Bello Gall, b. 7.
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 133
helles are conical elevations raised by the hand of man,
and composed of small stones or earth brought thither.
They are commonly known by the name of Motte or
Montjoie, and will generally be found on the borders
of the Pagi^ or in the centre of Celtic localities of some
importance. M. de P^tigny supposes them to have been
signal-stations, and also to have had a sacred character,
and that religious rites were celebrated thereon. As in
digging there bodies have sometimes been found, it has
been thought that they were merely sepulchral monu-
ments. The very characteristic choice of their site on
elevated points which correspond with each other,
belies this supposition. The presence of bones is ex-
plained by the use of human sacrifices ; and, moreover,
it is possible that under these sacred edifices the re-
mains of some powerful chief may have been interred.
The Tombelle de Breuil was perfectly well placed to
watch the frontier of Le Maine et Le Vendomois, and
to be the first ring in the chain of fortified points ob-
served along the course of the Loir and all the ancient
limit of the country of the Cenomani.
At about a kilometre beyond the bourg of La Cha-
pelle Vend6moise, going from Vend6me to Blois, in a
field on the right side of the road, is a dolmen of large
dimensions. Its table-stone is 5 metres long by 3 wide.
Thickness, from 40 to 50 centimetres. Two uprights,
3 metres long by 2 in height, support this enormous
weight horizontally. All this forms an artificial grot
or cliamber whose extent is 4 m. 50 c. by 3 m. At the
west it is closed by a single stone nearly 5 in. in length,
but only 1 m. in height. The table-stone runs from
north to south.
Joined to this chamber, on the east, is a second
monument, composed of a table-stone, 4 m. long and
2 m. broad, raised to the same height as the first, on
three supporters, which close it on the east.
In fine, in continuation of (" en avant de") this
second part of the Druidical edifice is a third table-
stone, whose dimensions do not exceed 1 m. by 3. It
134 CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE.
reposes on two supporters only 1 m. high. A stone
placed beside it served as a step to ascend it, and per-
sons arrived by these graduated platforms at the grand
table-stone at the bottom (" du fond"), on which the
sacrifices were celebrated.
On the surface of this latter is a channel (" rigole")
terminating in a basin which communicated, by a nar-
row and oblique opening, with the chamber below (" la
chambre inf^rieure''). The priest placed himself under
this opening, and received the blood of the victims,
which inundated his face and his vestments, then rais-
ing himself on the platform, through the space which
separates the two great tables, he exhibited himself, by
the light of the torches, to the aflfrighted people, like a
bloody phantom.
Under the Roman dominion human sacrifices were
prohibited ; but they were preserved under the name
of " Taurobole\ Inscriptions and medals have handed
down to us the memory of this. As the Druidical
altars were then abandoned, the gap was filled up ("on
y suppleait") by hollowing out a hole in the ground,
wherein the priest placed himself, and over which was
laid, for the immolation of the victim, a movable plank.
The dolmen of La Chapelle Vend6me is one of the
finest and most complete in France. Placed on an ele-
vated table-land, it marked the separation-line of the
Blasois from the Vend6mois. In the eleventh century
war having broken out between the Comtes de Blois et
de Vend6me respecting the demarcation of their fron-
tiers, the Vend6mois constantly claimed the dolmen as
the limit of their territory, and had it acknowledged
as such, which makes historians say that it was a mere
heap of stones placed there to indicate the boundary of
the two Comtes.
The Blasois Marches are very rich in Druidical monu-
ments. Near the Bourg of Landes, on ascending this
branch of the Cisse, on an elevation overlooking the
left bank of the little river, is a magnificent inclined
dolmeuy whose table-stone, 3 m. 50 c. long, by 3 m.
CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE. 135
wide, reposed on eight supporters, of which only four
are now upright, but sufficient to maintain the equili-
brium ; height above the ground, 1 m. 30 c, at the
upper end, and 48 c. at the lower end. The stone on
which this lower part reposes projects so as to serve as
a stepping-stone for ascending it. On the surface of
the t,able-stone we recognise the channel destined to con-
duct the blood from the upper to the lower part. ** This
is the finest example that I know of this sort of dol-
men.'"
Another dolmen of the same kind exists beyond
Landes, to the west. Its supports have fallen down.
The remains of a third, entirely broken up, appear
nearly opposite the last, on the right bank of the Cisse.
Returning towards the east, at a hamlet called
** Bourges", a name eminently Celtic, we find a much
more important monument. This is an artificial cavern
whose monolithic roof is formed of one enormous stone,
3 m. long by 3 wide. Six supporters, three on the
right, and three on the left, sustain this gigantic roof.
These are immense, unworked stones, 1 m. thick, and
2 m. 20 c. high. They are so exactly united on their
sides as to leave no interstice. It is a grotte auxfees, a
name which indicates the abode of Druidical priest-
esses : in fact, the local tradition says that there anci-
ently existed here " un convent de Sybilles'". It now
serves as storeroom and bakehouse to a cottage built
against it.
At the branching off of the new road from Vend6me
to Blois is an upright, conical stone, which probably
marked the limit of the Gallic oppulum (of Vindoci-
num=Vend6me). It is a peulvan^ 5 m. in circumfe-
rence, and 2 m. 20 c. in apparent height. It is directed
from east to west in its greatest thickness. It turns
on itself at Christmas night. There are no remains of
Gallic or Roman constructions on the site of the ancient
Chateau de Vend6me, although it is not to be doubted
that a Celtic fortress existed there.
The interior of the eminence an which the Ch&teau
136 CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE.
de Vend6me was erected encloses one of those myste-
rious underground passages commonly found in ancient
Celtic localities. Some regard them as the work of the
seigneurs of the middle ages ; but neither charters, nor
chronicles, nor other authentic documents, nor proofs,
nor traditions indicate this. The opinion which attri-
butes them to the Gallic people seems to be the best
founded.
CsBsar aflSrms, in his Commentaries, that no people
were more skilful than the Celts in excavating works
under ground. These asylums were so numerous that
on the approach of a hostile army the inhabitants of
the country might conceal themselves, with all their
property, and seemed to disappear in the bosom of the
earth. M. Baraillon, a most exact observer of Celtic
antiquities, remarks that underground passages existed
under all the Gallic towns erected on eminences, and
cites numerous examples in the Limousin, La Marche,
and Berri. {Recherches sur les Monuments Celtiques, pp.
156-309.) Thus the hill on which rises the Chateau
d'Amboise encloses vast vaults whose origin is un-
known. (Baraillon's Recherches sur les Monuments
Celtiques; Liber de Compositione Cctstri Ambaziac, c. i;
SpiciL Acheriiy t. iii.)
The city of Chart res itself, the capital of theCar^iw-
teSy of which our country was a dependence, had no
other habitations in the commencement than caves
excavated in the steep flank which overlooks the Eure,
on the south side of the city. " These caves*', says
M. Chevard {Hist, de Chartres, tom. i), ** great part of
which still remain in the quarters erected on the top
and in the flanks of the hill, between the north and
the south, served as retreats to the early inhabitants
of Chartres. Few towns contain so many excavations.
Almost all the houses of note, and of a certain anti-
quity, such as the Palace of the Comtes, the early
churches, the old monasteries, the houses formerly
occupied by the bishop and canons, and numerous pri-
vate buildings, still contain, in great part, large sub-
CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE. 137
terranean rooms, independently of the cellars (* caves et
caveaux"), and frequently communicating with other
underground passages cut in the rock."^
Cyclopean walls, composed of enormous, unworked
stones, closed on the crest of the hill this natural en-
ceinte. (" Erat enim ex quadratis immanissimis lapidi-
bus constructa altisque turribus munita et idcirco urbs
lapidum vocitata."^) Hence the name, " Town of Stones"
(Stone Town, Ville de Pierres), a name of Chartres in
the middle ages, which is only a translation of Carnu-
teSy derived from the Celtic cairn (rock or stone). The
modern name, Chartres, would seem to come from the
Latin career (a den, and by extension a dungeon).
This is also found in La Chartre, a little town within
the limits of the Vendomois, and remarkable as a Celtic
locality. We will speak farther on of the vast under-
ground passages of Tr6o, whose Gallic origin cannot be
mistaken.
The extent of these artificial caves, the precautions
taken to render them habitable, the traces which they
oflfer of the abode of men and animals, all concur in
proving thj^t they served as places of refuge for entire
populations.
If we may believe a vague tradition, the underground
passages of Vend6me Ch&teau were formerly of consider-
able extent, on one side communicating with the crypt
of the ancient church of St. Bienheur^, erected on the
site of a Druidical sanctuary. All trace of this, how-
ever, is lost ; but some fifty or sixty years ago chance
led to the discovery of a gallery excavated in that part
of the hill which borders on the Faubourg St. Lubin.
In digging out a cellar in a very ancient auherge (the
St. Jaques), situated at the entrance of the Faubourg,
the lower opening of this gallery showed itself. Pass-
ing under some dark vaulting we arrive at a vast
reservoir of water. The overflow of this spring escapes
^ The hill on which stands the city of Bonrges (the Avarium of
Cs&sar) is honeycombed as a crypt-town.
* Ckronique d*Aganon.
138 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENDOME.
at the foot of the rock, forming a little stream which
runs into the neighbouring Loir a little above the
Pont Saint Georges. The gallery leading to the inner
basin bears the marks, on its rounded vaulting, of
human labour with the pickaxe. The cutting is of
remarkable perfection. Width of gallery, 1 m. 40 c;
height, 2 m. 20 c. at the lower part, increasing gradu-
ally to 4 m. 20 c. at the upper part. The ascent may
be followed for 60 m.
Another gallery, 2 m. 40 c. wide, branches off from
this one under the reservoir, and appears to follow the
direction parallel to the hill-side of St. Lubin, but is
blocked up, after running 8 m., by a falling in, near
which are perceivable some holes in the rock, appa-
rently for door-hinges. Tradition affirms that this
gallery had an exit in the upper part of the Faubourg,
near the Fontaine St. Sulpice.
As to the upper gallery, it should have terminated
at the top of the hill, near the entrance of the court of
the ChS^teau. It is blocked up at a few metres only
below the surface by some very old landslips, about
20 m. above the level of the street. The slope of this
gallery is so well managed that horses and cattle might
traverse it to water under ground, sheltered from the
sight and the shafts of the enemy.
These underground galleries are one of the most
curious sights at Vend6me. Their existence, unknown
in the last century, was probably forgotten in the
middle ages, for the Comtes de Vend6me had dug, at
great cost, a well of enormous depth at the opposite
end of the enceinte of their citadel.
Caves and unhewn stones, which served for altars
and territorial bounds, are the only monuments left us
by the Gauls. No traces of their habitations, nor even
of the walls of their towns, could remain, for almost
everywhere, according to Csesar, they were of wood or
mud.
139
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
PATENT BOLLS, CHARLES H.
We reproduce, for the benefit of our members, from
"Appendix I to the Forty-Sixth Annual Report of the
Deputy Keeper of Public Records'', the following en-
tries of " ecclesiastical appointments in Wales and the
Borders/' They are of considerable historical value as
belonging to the period of the Restoration, and they
help to fill up many gaps in the previous records of
that period.
No. I. — Appointments oj ArcJibishops and Bishops on the
PcUent BollSy Charles II,
Bangor, Dean and Chapter of, conge d'elire to the, vice [Dr. Robert
Price], deceased. Westm., 30 Oct. (17 Chas. II, p. 8,
No. 4.)
„ [Humphrey] Lloyd, S.T.P., Dean of St. Asaph, Bishop of,
vice [Robert Mor^^n], late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 30 Oct. (25 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 8.)
„ Humphrey Lloyd, S.T.P., Dean of St. Asaph, Bishop of;
restitution of temporalities. Westm., 5 Dec. (25 Chas. II,
p. 1, No. 7.)
Barlow, Thomas, S.T.P., Bishop of Lincoln, vice William Puller,
S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm.,
7 June. (27 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 6.)
„ Thomas, S.T.P., Bishop of Lincoln ; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 5 Auf?. (27 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 5.)
Barrow, Isaac, S.T.P., Bishop of Sodor and Man, vice Samuel But-
ter, late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 13
June. (15 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 30.)
Beaw, William, S.T.P., Bishop of Llandaff, vice William Lloyd, lato
Bishop, translated to Peterborough. Royal assent.
Westm., 13 June. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 27.)
„ William, S.T.P., Bishop of Llandaff; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 4 July. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 26.)
Bridgeman, Henry, S.T.P., Dean of Chester, Bishop of Sodor and
Man, vice Isaac Barrowe translated to St. Asaph. Royal
assent. 6 Sept. (23 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 1.)
Chester, Dean and Chapter of, conge d'elire to the, vice Brian Walton,
S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 25 Jan. (13
Chas. II, p. 47, No. 25.)
140 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Chester, Henry Feme, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice [Brian Walton], late
Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 6 Feb. (14
Chas. II, p. 26, No. 31.)
„ Henry Feme, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of temporalities,
Wesfcm., 3 March. (14 Chas. II, p. 26, No. 23.)
„ Dean and Chapter of, conge d*elire, [vice Henry Feme, hite
Bishop, deceased]. Westm., 7 April. (14 Chas. II, p. 26,
No. 15.)
„ George Hall, S.T.P., Bishop of, \yice Henry Ferae, late
Bishop, deceased.] Royal assent (?). Westm., 12 Jane.
(14 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 53 ; p. 26, No. 7.)
„ John Pearson, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice [John Wilkins], late
Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 11 Jan. (24
Chas. II, p. 5, No. 3.)
Crofts, Herbert, S.T.P., Bishop of Hereford [vice Nicholas Monkes,
S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased]. Royal assent. Westm.,
3 Feb. (14 Chas. II, p. 26, No. 32.)
„ Herbert, S.T.P., Bishop of Hereford ; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 3 March. (14 Chas. II, p. 26, No. 24.)
Davyes (Davies), Francis, S.T.P., Bishop of Llandaff, vice Hngh
Lloyd, late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent Westm.,
21 Aug. (19 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 41.)
„ Francis, S.T.P., Bishop of Llandaff; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 11 Sept. (19 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 16.)
Dolben, John, S.T.P., Bishop of Rochester, Archbishop of York,
vice [Richard Sterne], late Archbishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 9 Aug. (35 Chas. U, p. 3, No. 4.)
„ John, Bishop of Rochester, Archbishop of York ; restitution
of temporalities. Westm., 22 Aug. (35 Chas. II, p. 4,
No. 4.)
Feme, Henry, S.T.P., Bishop of Chester [vice Brian Walton, late
Bishop, deceased]. Royal assent. Westm., 6 Feb. (14
Charies IT, p. 26, No. 31.)
„ Henry, S.T.P., Bishop of Chester ; restitution of temporali-
ties. Westm., 3 March. (14 Chas. II, p. 26, No. 23.)
Glemham, Henry, S.T.P., Bishop of St. Asaph, vice [George Griffith],
late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 5 Sept.
(19 Charles II, p. 5, No. 11.)
„ Henry, S.T.P., Bishop of St Asaph ; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 23 Oct. (19 Chas. II, p. 5, No. 7.)
Hereford, Nicholas Monck, S.T.P., Bishop of Royal assent. Westm.,
21 Dec. (12 Chas. II, p. 40, No. 2.)
„ Nicholas Monck, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 7 Feb. (13 Chas. II, p. 45, No. 6.)
„ Dean and Chapter of, conge d*elire to the, vice Nicholas
Monck, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 14 Jan.
(13Chas. II, p.47, No.21.)
„ Herbert Crofts, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice Nicholas Monck,
tS.T.P., lat^ Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm.,
3 Feb. (14 Chas. II, p. 26, No. 32.)
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES II. 141
Hereford, Herbert Crofts, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitntion of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 3 March. (14 Chaa. II, p. 26, No. 24.)
Llandaff, Archdeacon and Chapter of, cong^ d'elire to the, vice Ha^h
Llojd, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 16 July.
(19 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 32.)
Francis Da vies, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice Hugh Lloyd, late
Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 21 Aug. (19
Chas. II, p. 2, No. 41.)
Francis Davies, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 11 Sept. (19 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 16.)
Archdeacon and Chapter of, conge (Telire to the, vice Francis
Davies, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 1 April.
(27Chas. II,p. 6, No. 16.)
William Lloyd, S.T.P., one of the King's chaplains, Bishop
. of, vice Francis Davies, late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent Westm., 13 April. (27 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 15.)
William Lloyd, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 7 May. (27 Charles II, p. 6, No. 14.)
Archdeacon and Chapter of, cong^ d'elire to the, vice Wil-
liam Lloyd, S.T.P., translated to Peterborough. Westm.,
22 May. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 29.)
William Beaw, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice William Lloyd, late
Bishop, translated to Peterborough. Royal assent.
Westm., 13 June. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 27,)
William Beaw, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 4 July. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 26.)
Lloyd [Humphrey], S.T.P., Dean of St. Asaph, Bishop of Bangor,
r/ce [Robert Morgan], late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 30 Oct. (25 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 8.)
Humphrey, S.T.P., Dean of St. Asaph, Bishop of Bangor;
restitution of temporalities. Westm., 5 Dec. (25 Chas. II,
p. 1, No. 7.)
William, S.T.P., one of the King's chaplains, Bishop of Llan-
daff, vice Francis Davies, late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 13 April. (27 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 15.)
William, S.T.P., Bishop of Llandaff; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 7 May. (27 Chaa. II, p. 6, No. 14.)
William, S.T.P., late Bishop of Llandaff, Bishop of Peterbo-
rough, t»ce Joseph Henshaw,S.T.P., late Bisliop, deceased.
Royalassent. Westm.,24 April. (31 Chas.lI,p.8,No.31.)
William, S.T. P., Bishop of Peterborough ; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 29 May. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 28.)
William, S.T.P., Dean of St. Asaph^ [Bangor], and one of the
chaplains in ordinary to the King, Bishop of St. Asaph,
vice Isaac Barrow, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm. (undated). (32 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 4.)
William, S.T.P., Bishop of St. Asaph, restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 13 Oct. (32 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 8.)
1 Sic on Pat. Roll.
142 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Pearson, John, 8.T.P., Bishop of Chester, vice [John Wilkms}, late
Bishop, deceased. BoyaJ assent. Westm., 11 Jan. (24
Charles II, p. 5, No. 3.)
Peterborough, William Lloyd, S.T.P., late Bishop of Llandaff, Bishop
of, vice Joseph Henshaw, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased.
Royal assent. Westm., 24 April. (31 Chas. II, p. 8,
No. 31.)
„ William Lloyd, S.T.P,, Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 29 May. (31 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 28.)
St. Asaph, Henry Glemhani, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice [George GriflSth],
late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 5 Sept.
(19 Charles II, p. 5, No. 11.)
„ Henry Glemham, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tem-
poraHties. Westm., 23 Oct. (19 Chas. II, p. 5, No. 7.)
„ Dean and Chapter of, conge cTelire to the, vice Isaac Bar-
row, S.T.P, late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 14 July.
(32 Chas. II, p. 1, No.l.)
„ William Lloyd, S.T.P., one of the chaplains in ordinary
to the Kling, Dean of St. Asaph^ [BJangor], Bishop of,
vice Isaac Barrow, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm. (undated). (32 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 4.)
„ William Lloyd, S.T.P., Bishop of; restitution of tempo-
ralities. Westm., 13 Oct. (32 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 8.)
St. David's, Precentor and Chapter of, conge' d'Hire to the, vice Wil-
liam Lucy, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Westm., 19
Oct. (29 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 2 ; p. 4, No. 3 ; under date
of 17 Oct)
„ William Thomas, S.T.P., Dean of Worcester, Bishop of,
vice William Lucy, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 10 Jan. (29 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 1 ; p. 4,
No. 2.)
„ William Thomas, S.T.P., Dean of Worcester, Bishop of;
restitution of temporalities. Westm., 29 Jan. (29
Chaa II, p. 2, No. 1.)
„ Precentor and Chapter of, conge d'elire to the, vice William
Thomas, S.T.P., late Bishop, translated to Worcester.
Westm., 20 Sept. (35 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 5.)
Sodor and Man, Isaac Barrow, S.T.P., Bishop of, vice Samuel But-
ter, late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm., 13
June. (15 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 30.)
„ Henry Bridgeman, S.T.P., Dean of Chester, Bishop of,
vice Isaac Barrow, translated to St. Asaph. Royal assent.
6 Sept. (23 Charles II, p. 4, No. 1.)
„ John Lake, S.T.P., Canon Ilesidentiary of York and Arch-
deacon of Cleveland, Bishop of, vice Henry Bridgeman,
S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent. Westm.,
14 Nov. (34 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 12 )
1 Sic on Pat Roll.
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES IT. 143
Thomas William, S.T.P., Dean of Worcester, Bishop of St. David's,
vice William Lucy, S.T.P., late Bishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 10 Jan. (29 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 1 ; p.
4, No. 2.)
„ William, S.T.P.,Dean of Worcester, Bishop of St. David's ;
restitution of temporalities. Westm., 29 Jan. (29
Chas. II, p. 2, No. 1.)
„ William, Bishop of St. David's, Bishop of Worcester, vice
[James Fleetwood], late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent.
Westm., 22 Ang. (35 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 10.)
„ William, Bishop of St. David's, Bishop of Worcester;
restitution of temporalities. Westm., 1 Sept. (35
Chas. II, p. 5, No. 8.)
Worcester, William Thomas, Bishop of St. David's, Bishop of, vice
[James Fleetwood], late Bishop, deceased. Royal assent.
Westm., 22 Aug. (35 Chas. II, p. 5, No. 10.)
„ William Thomas, Bishop of St. David's, Bishop of; resti-
tution of temporalities. Westm., 1 Sept. (35 Chas. II,
p. 5, No. 8.)
York, John Dolben, S.T.P., Bishop of Rochester, Archbishop of, vice
[Richard Sterne], late Archbishop, deceased. Royal
assent. Westm., 9 Aug. (35 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 4.)
„ John Dolben, Bishop of Rochester, Archbishop of ; restitution
of temporalities. Westm., 22 Aug. (35 Chas. II, p. 4,
No. 4.)
N'o. II. — Preaentotions on the Patent Polls, Charles II.
Ardeme, James, S.T.P., Dean of Chester, vice Henry Bridgman,
deceased. Westm., 28 June. (34 Chas. II, p. 2, No.
23.)
Awbrey, William, yeoman, sexton in the church of Nantmell, com-
monly called Trey-yr-Gloch, co. Radnor, vice Hugh Lloyd
of (Jardd Vage, deceased, 21 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 19,
No. 184.)
Bamett, Nathaniel, elk., rector of Newtown, co. Montgomery.
Westm., 16 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 398.)
Beeston, Richard, elk., M.A., vicar of St Alkmonda, co. Salop,
Lichfield and Coventry dioc. Westm., 11 Oct. (14
Chas. II, p. 19, No. 135.)
Benson, Edward, elk., Treasurer of Hereford Cathedral. Westm.,
21 July. (12 Chas. n, p. 19, Nos. 112, 113.)
„ (Jeorge, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Wellington in Here-
ford Cathedral, co. Heref. Westm., 9 July. (12 Chas. II,
p. 19, Nos. 153, 154.)
„ George, elk.. Archdeacon of Hereford, vice John Hughes,
S.T.P., deceased. Westm., 19 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 3,
No. 22 ; p. 19, No. 116.)
144 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Bevan, Thomas, elk., M.A., vicar of Llandilo Vanre, co. CarmartHet),
St. David's dioc. Westm., 7 Nov. (17 Chas. II, p. 3,
No. 39.)
Bidwell, Robei*t, elk., M.A., rector of New Radnor, co. Radnor.
Westm., 16 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 397.)
„ Robert, elk., Canon or Prebendary of Llandegley in the
colle^ate church of Brecon, dioc. St. David's, vice John
Ambler, deceased. Westm., 27 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4,
Nos. 166, 167.)
Birch, Thomas, elk., presentation to the third portion of the rectory
of Brumyard, co. Heref , vice Richard Hill, elk., de-
ceased. Westm., 31 Aug. and 15 March. (12 Chas, II,
p. 4, No. 179; p. 19, No. 9.)
„ Thomas, rector of Hampton Bishop, co. Heref., vice William
Hall, resigned. Westm., 8 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4,
No. 131.)
„ Thomas, elk., presentation to the second part or portion of
the prebend or rectory of Bromyard, co. and dioc. of
Heref. Westm., 27 June. (16 Chas. II, p. 19, No ^.)
Bonnett, William, elk., vicar of Bridstowe, co. Heref. Westm., 18
Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 146.)
Bo wen, John, elk., rector of Llanthetty, co. Brecon. Westm., 7 July.
(12Cha8. II, p. 1, No. 410.)
„ Philip, elk., rector of Llanvihangel Penbedo, ca Pembroke,
St. David's dioc., vice Rhoderick Humfreyes, elk., de-
ceased. Westm., 25 May. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 228.)
Braboume, William, elk., rector of Nangle, alias Aigulo, co. Pem-
broke. Westm., 26 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 19, No.
182.)
„ William, elk., Prebendary of Eyewithington in Hereford
Cathedral. Westm., 30 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 19, Nos.
43, 44.)
Bridgeman (Bridgman), Charles, elk., M.A., rector of Llanrhaider yn
Cynmerick, Bangor dioc, and province of Canterbury.
Westm., 13 Oct. (17 Chas. II, p. 8, No. 3.)
„ Henry, elk.. Dean of Chester, vice [William] Nicholls, de-
ceased. Westm., 16 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 117;
p. 19. No. 135.)
Butler, Arnold, elk., vicar of Loughor, co. Glamorgan. Westm., 30
Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 214.)
„ John, elk., vicar of Kenfig, co. Glamorgan, Llandaff dioc.
Westm., 2 Dec. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 122.)
Buttolph, Thomas, rector of Northop, co. Flint. Westm., 1 Aog.
(12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 114.)
(To be continued.)
145
THE TRIAL OF LORD FERRERS.
The following curious account, written by an eye-
witness, belongs to a period when newspapers were few,
and their place had to be supplied by letters. For it I
am indebted to Col. Jones-Mortimer of Plas Newydd,
Llanfair, near Ruthin, to whose great-grandfather it
was addressed.
Dr. Wilson is described elsewhere as " belonging to
a family which, when Liverpool was little more than a
small fishing town, was the oldest and chief family con-
nected with the neighbourhood". An account of the
trial and execution appeared in The Gentleman's Magor
zine for 1860. Lord Ferrers was condemned for the
murder of his steward, and executed at Tyburn by
hanging. Afterwards his body was conveyed to Sur-
geons' Hall, where incisions were made as for dissec-
tion. It was then allowed to be privately buried in
the church of Breedon-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire.
Temple. April 24tli, 1760.
D' Wilson,
Ab* ten days ago I set down to write to you, but was
hinder'd from finishing my letter ; and indeed I am now glad of
it, since I am able to send you some account of L* Ferrers's
Tryal, w*^*^ you was so desirous of having. Yesterday sennight
(the l"* day), having no opportunity of being present, I was
obliged to be contented w*" seeing the Procession, w^ did not
much strike me. First came the Constables & Beadles, then
the Prisoner in his own Coach, guarded on each side by the
Yeomen of the Guard ; before & after the Coach marched 50 or
60 of the Foot Guards, headed by an OflScer, the Drums beating
all the Way ; the Blinds of the Coach were drawn up so high
as to prevent L* Ferrers from being seen by the incredible Num-
bers assembled for y* purpose.
The next Morning, between 7 and 8 o'Clock, I deceived a
Tickett for Admission in Bed. You may be sure I hurried down
to Westminster immediately, fasting, and with only a little piece
5th 8IB.,yOL. 111. 10
146 TRIAL OP LORD FERRERS.
of Bread in my Pockett. On coming to the Pakce Yard, join-
ing to the Hall, I found it filled w*^ Troops, 15 men out of every
Company, of the 3 Regiments of Foot Guards, with Officers &
Colours, drawn up 3 Deep all round y* Square, w**^ fixed Bayo-
netts. Thro* these every ooe of all Eanl^ were obliged to walk ;
no Chairs admitted, nor any Coaches, but the Prisoner's, & L^
Steward's Trains allowed to pass. Having shown my Tickett
at 3 Places I got into the Court, w«^ was filled w^ scarce any-
thing but Jewells, & Gold, & Silver. Many of the People had
been there from 6 o'Clock* I will endeavour to describe the
Court to you, but fear I shall fail in the Attempt.
At the upper End of the Court was a most magnificent Throne
under a Canopy of Crimson Velvett, w*** a Chair of the same,
erected for the King, if he had chose to be present. Upon the
2°* step of y* Throne was a Crimson Velvett Chair, for the L**
High Steward ; on the right Hand of the Throne was the King's
Box, and on the Left the Prince of Wales's. On the right Hand
Side of the Hall, near the King^s Box, was one for the Foreign
Ministers. The 2 first rows of seats, nearest the Pitt, were kept
for the Peeresses and Peers' Daughters. All the other Benches
on that Side, in the form of a Playhouse gallery, were for
Gentlemen and Ladies ; & above all these, at allmost the very
Top of the Hall, was a gallety, partly for L** Lincoln & his
Friends, and the rest for the Board of Works. On the other
Side of the Court, and near the Prince of Wales's Box, was one
for the D. of Cumberland : behind that one for the L* Steward's
Family and Friends ; the 2 first Rows next the Pitt for the
Peeresses, the seats above for Gentlemen & Ladies, and the
gallery above for the Board of Works. Below the Throne, on
the Woolpacks, sat the Judges ; at the Table the Clerks, Masters
in Chancery, & King's Council. On the Right Hand of the
Pitt sat the Archbishops & Bishops ; on the Left the Dukes,
Officers of State, & Marquises ; & in the Middle & at the Bottom
the Earls, Viscounts, & Barons. At the end of the Pitt, oppo-
site the Throne, was the Bar, wide enough for 3 or 4 persons
a breast ; on each side a little Pew for the Attorney & Solicitor
General. Behind were 2 Rows of Seats for the Dutchesses;
above these was a Box for the Duke of Ancaster, as L** Great
Chamberlain of England, & his Friend. The other Benches
were disposed of as those on the Sides of the Court All the
Court was hung w*** fine Red Cloth.
About J an Hour past Eleven the Procession from the House
of Peers began. First a Serjeant at Arms w^ his Mace, then
the 20 Gentlemen, Attendants to the L** Steward, 2 & 2 ; then
the Masters in Chancery, King's Council & Clerks ; then the
TRIAL OP LORD FERRERS. 147
Judges ; after them Peers* sons ; then 3 Serjeants at Arms w"»
Maces ; then the Barons, Bishops, Viscounts, Earls, Marquisses,
& Dukes ; after them 3 more Serjeants at Arms w*** Maces,
Heralds, Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod, Gentleman w^
the L* Steward's white wand ; and last his Grace the L** Steward
w^ his Train bom by 2 Pages ; a party of the Yeomen of the
Guard closed the Procession. All were in their Scarlet Robes
trimmed w^ Ermin according to their Degrees, & as they passed
by the Throne to their Places, they all bowed very low, one by
one, in Seniority, the Juniors going first.
Being all seated, a Serjeant at Arms made Proclamation for
all Persons of what Rank soever to keep Silence, on pain of Im-
prisonment, and then ordered the Lieutenant of y* Tower to
bring the Prisoner to the Bar ; he was immediately brought. &
kneeled. Then the L^ Steward bid him rise, w«^ he obeyed ; the
Lieutenant stood on his Right, and the Gentleman Gaoler of
the Tower on his Left Hand, w**^ the Ax, the Edge turned from
the Prisoner. The Prisoner's Witnesses were then called, to the
number of, I think, 8 or 9. They all endeavoured, but in vain,
to prove him Lunatick, and their Arguments for it were, that
he grinned, & spitt in the glass, muttered, & talked often to
himself, & drank something, I've forgot what, out of the Spout
of a CofTee Pott, & fell often into most violent Transports of
Passion. Amongst them were 2 of his Brothers, who went far-
ther than the Rest, but cou** do him no service. After their
Examination the Sollicitor General summed up the Evidence in
an exceeding clear, elegant manner, & proved by the Authority
of L*^ C. J. Hale that the Dementia affectata, or Drunkeness, a
Plea w** L^ Ferrers's Council urged for him, would not avail,
for by the Laws of England Ko Person shfdl have Privilege by
this voluntary, contracted Madness, but shall have the same
Judgment as if he were in his right Senses. He proved, nwre-
over, by the same authority, that partial Insanity w^ not serve
him, for, says Hale, " Such a Person as labouring under melan-
choly Distempers, has yet ordinarily as great Understanding as
ordinarily a Child of 14 years hath, is such a Person as may be
guilty of Treason or Felony." The Sollicitor gained great ap-
plause, & indeed most deservedly. This murder was proved to
be as premeditated & malicious as cou** be perpetrated.
After he had done, the L*^ Stew* asked the Ifi* if it was their
pleasure to adjourn to their House, & upon their assenting, they
all went out in the same Order they came in. In ab* ^ an Hour
they returned, but without the Bishops, who never vote in Cases
of Blood, and then the L* Steward asked their opinions, begin-
ning w*** L** Littleton, y* youngest Baron, in this Manner: —
10 «
148 TRIAL OF LORD FERRERS.
"George L* Littleton, you have heard Lawrence Earl Ferrers
tried for Murder & Felony, whereof he stands indicted. What
says your Lordship, is he guilty, or not guilty ?" To which L**
Littleton, standing up uncovered, & laying his Eight Hand upon
his Left Breast, replied, " Guilty, upon my Honour." In this
manner the L* Steward asked them one by one, going upwards,
& all, to a Man, brought the Prisoner in guilty. Upon w** the
Prisoner was brought to the Bar, & acquainted w*** their Lord-
ships' Judgment. This ended the Business on Thursday ab' 6
o'clock in the Afternoon.
On Friday I got there a little after eight. At J an Hour past
One the Procession came in, the Bishops excepted, & the Prisoner
was brought to the Bar. His Grace then addressed himself to
him : " Lawrence Earl Ferrers, you have been tried for Murder
and Felony, whereof you stood indicted, & your Peers have
unanimously found you Guilty. What have you to say why
Judgment of Death sh^ not be passed upon you ?" L* Ferrers
then read a Paper, w^^ one of the Clerks repeated to the Court,
the substance of which was that " he begged pardon of their
Lordsliips for having given them so much Trouble ; that he was
advised to plead Limacy, & hoped the Peers would recommend
him to the King's mercy." The L* Steward asked him if he had
anything more to offer, and on his answering " No", he then
begun his Speech, w**^ he opened w^** saying how much his
Majesty's Love of Justice and Mercy had endeared him to all
his subjects ; that great as his Love of Justice was, he was more
inclined to mercy where it c** be shewn ; but that the Crime of
which his Lordship was proved guilty was of so crying & so
heinous a Nature, that there was no Eoom to expect it. He
then proceeded to harangue upon Murder, & concluded w*** the
Sentence that " you, Lawrence Earl Ferrers, be carried back to
the Prison of the Tower of London, & on Monday next be car-
ried to the place of Execution, where you shall be hanged by
the Neck untill you are dead, & your Body afterwards be dis-
sected, & God Almighty have mercy on your Soul."
After a little pause he addressed himself to the Prisoner again :
*' My Lord, I am to acquaint your Lordship, by order of the
House of Peers, & Advice of the Judges, whom we have con-
sulted, that as you have petitioned for a little Eespite, they have
indulged you till May 6th. During this Interval your Rela-
tions & Friends will be allowed Access to you, & you will have
the assistance of some of the ablest Divines of the Protestant
Church to purge your Soul from the guUt w*** w*^ it is over-
whelmed, & to prepare you for the awfuU scena"
As soon as the Sentence begun, the Gaoler begun to turn the
THE ANN UAL MEETING. 149
Axe till the Edge came full against the Prisoner. Then the
L^ Steward called for his Staff, w<* was given him upon the
knee (as everything else during that time). His Grace immedi-
ately broke it, & declared his Commission of Lord High Steward
void, & left the Chair of State, & came down to the Woolpack
w^** the Seals, as L* Keeper again.
I had forgot to mention that in the Procession to Westmin-
ster the L** Steward's Train soon followed the Prisoner's. He
had 5 Coaches, and a pair preceded him, & then came in his
State Coach & six fine Horses, all decked w*^ Eibbons, & led by
Pages ; all the Servants attending the 5 State Coaches in his
own livery. The Guards all rested to him, the Drums ruffled,
the Colours dropt, & the Officers saluted him w^^ their Spon-
toons. At the Door, where he alighted, he was received by his
own Guard and Col" Guard of 100 Men, w*'^ payed him the
same Honours as the King.
L** Moreton asked if the Prisoner could distinguish between
an immoral & a moral action. He was proved fully capable of
doing it ; ergo not Mad.
Nothing but a Coronation can equal this grand sight. Some
say this is finer and more regular. L** Ferrers is of an exceeding
Ttiean appearance, & seemed not affected w^^ his Sentence.
I would have wrote to Mortimer & Blake, but must now defer
it till Saturday. Comp^ to them and all friends.
Y" Tho» Weddell.
Write by the return of the post.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION.
This Meeting will be held at Swansea on Monday, August the 28rd,
and following days, under the presidency of Mr. John Talbot Dill-
WTN Llewbltn of Penllergare. A strong Local Committee has been
formed, with the Mayor (W. J. Bees, Esq.) as Chairman, and Mr.
Walter Lewis, C.B., as Hon. Secretary.
On the first evening His Worship the Mayor will publicly receive
the President, and Officers, and Members of the Association, and
the President will deliver his inaugural address.
The excursion on Tuesday will be to Margam Abbey, where a
paper will be read in the Chapter House on the history of this Cis-
tercian house, by Mr. S. C. G^mwell ; and thence to Neath Abbey,
where a paper will also be read by Mr. J. S. Sutton on the history
of the Abbey.
On Wednesday the excursion will be to North Gower, including
the tumulus at Penycrick, near KiUbion ; Llanrhidian Church, with
150 OBITUARY.
its early stone coffin, stone pillory, and other remains ; Weobley
Castle, where the Rev. J. D. Davies, anthor of the History of West
Ootoer, will read two papers ; Samson's Jaok Maenhir ; and King
Arthur's Stone.
On Thursday, Swansea Castle will be visited, and described by
Mr. B. Capper ; the Hospital of St. David, in St. Mary's Street, on
which Mr. J. Bnckley Wilson will read a paper ; and the parish
Chnrch of St. Mary, on which a paper will be read by Mr. Q^mwelL
The Members will then proceed, by invitation of the President, to
Penllergare ; after which some Roman encampments on Cam Gkich,
and other Roman remains, will be inspected.
The last excursion, on Friday, will be to South Gower, where
Park-le-Breos and the Chamber Tumulus will be described by Sir
H. Hussey Vivian, Bart, M.P. Pennard Church and Bone-daves,
Bacon Hole, Minchion Hole, are to be described in a paper by
Mr. C. H. Perkins ; Bishopston Church and Valley, Merton, and
on to Oystermouth Castle, upon the history of which Mr. T. P. Mar-
tin will read a paper,
It will thus be seen that not only places of great interest will be
visited, bat also that care has been taken to have them well de-
scribed by papers on the spot ; and as the country is, in many
respects, very (attractive, and the excursions will all be by carriage,
a most pleasant ai^d successfal week may be anticipated.
®&ituar$.
R. Kteke Pbnson, P.S.A.
Richard Ktbke Penson was the eldest son of the late Mr. Thomas
Penson, F.R.I.B.A., and M. Inst C.E., architect, of Wrexham, who
held the appointment of county surveyor in Denbighshire and Mont-
gomeryshire. He was, we believe, bom in Oswestiy, and was in his
seventy-first year at the time he died, on May 22nd last. He was
sent to London to prosecute his studies for about five years, from
1843 to 1848, during which period he became a member of the old
Water Colour Society, of which Mr. Henry Warren was at that time
President. Mr. Penson became an early exhibitor, and had then
acquired some distinction as a water-colour painter. This connec-
tion lasted for many years afterwards, during which he continued to
exhibit very clever and effective sketches. He also was elected an
F.S.A. and F.R.I.B.A. In 1852 he read a paper on Ludlow Church,
before our Association, at the Ludlow Meeting in that year.
In or about the year 1857 he was appointed county surveyor for
Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire, and was then associated with
Mr. A. Ritchie, now of Chester, architect, who subsequently became
his partner and successor. Mr. Penson then acquirod a very exten-
OBITUARY. 151
Bive practice. He went to live at Perryside, Carmarthenshire, and
Mr. Ritchie established the offices at Swansea, conducting, among
other works then in hand, extensive alterations and repairs at Djne-
vor Castle for Lord Dynevor.
In 1859 Mr. Penson's father died, and his son succeeded him in
most of his public appointments ; and the younger son, Mr. Thomas
Mainwaring Penson, became well known and established in practice
as an arclutect at Chester, where he died in June 1864. Besides
repairs at Dynevor Castle, Llandilo, Carmarthenshire, Mr. R^ K. Pen-
son designed alterations and additions to Bronwydd, in the same
county, for Mr., afterwards Sir T. D. Lloyd, Bart. ; the new church
of St Mark, Wrexham ; a new residence for Mr. P. R. Roberts, near
Aberystwyth ; the restoration of St. Peter's Church, Ruthin, Den-
bighshire ; St. David's Church, Carmarthen ; the new vicarage houses
for St. David's and St. Peter's churches, Carmarthen ; Christ Church
(new) and St. Peter's Church Schoob, Carmarthen; and St. Peter's
new Church, Llanelly. At Swansea and in the neighbourhood the
following works were ei^ecuted by him : new church and school-
buildings at the Cockit ; new National Schools, Oystermouth Road ;
rebuilding and restoration of Oystermouth Church ; additions to
Kilvey Church ; also the restoration of Llanrhidian and Penmaei^
churches; and new church at Morriston ; in Pembrokeshire, the
churches at Amroth, Angle, St. Petro?, Roch, and Rosemar^et. Also
in Carmarthenshire the following churches were rebuilt, altered, and
restored according to his plans, — Llandarog, Llanedy, Llanllwch,
Llandefeilog, Bettws, Mothvey, Merthyr, Llinglydwen, Llanfihan-
gel y Croydden, Laughan^e, and Llanilar. He was also engaged
upon residences and parsonage-houses : at Talgarth, for Captain
Thruston ; Llidiarde, near Aberystwyth ; at Westfa, Llanelly, for
Mr. C. W. I^'evill ; new vicarage, Llanedy; National Schools at Aber-
ystwith ; new church, schools, and residence at Ferryside, Carmar-
thenshire; Brymbo and Minera new schools, Denbighshire; new
offices and buildings for the Provincial Insurance Company, Wrex-
ham ; new schools at Ludlow ; schools and dispensary, Oswestry ;
Penybont new church, near Oswestry, and upon numerous county
works.
Mr. Penson died at his residence, Dinham House, Ludlow, after
a long and painful illness, and was buried in Ludlow Cemetery.
He was a magistrate for the borough, and acted as the Iiocal Secre-'
tary of our Aasociation for Shropshire.
152
A History of West Gowee, Glamorganshire. By J. D. Davies,
M.A., Rector of Cberiton and Llanmadoa Part I, 1877.
Historical Notices of 'the Parishes of Llanmadoc and Cheriton,
in the Rural Deanery of West Gower, Glamorganshire.
Part II, 1879.
Historical Notices of the Parishes op Llangennydd and Rhosilt,
IN the Rural Deanery op West Gower. Part III, 1885.
Swansea : printed by H. W. Williams at the Cambrian Office.
We owe an apology for so long a delay in noticing this important
contribntion to the history of Glamorganshire, and we have the
more satisfaction in drawing attention to it now in view of the
approaching visit of the Association.
Mr. Davies enumerates in his Preface some of the attractions
which the district possesses for the antiqnary. '* Mentioned as it is
in the Triads, abounding in ancient military works and old baronial
castles, it has been the scene of many a ferocious fight, and has also
heard within its bounds the voices of some of tiie most notable
saints of the days of old It is one of those places that claim the
honour of being the birthplace of the great St. Patrick.... Numerous
fossil bone-caves pierce the frontage of its cliffs; the cradle of many
a wild and romantic legend, it would be difficult to find a locality
of such limited dimensions so full of interest to the traveller and
archseologist." And yet he tells ns that "beyond the masterly
account of the date and architecture of the churches" by Mr. Free-
man, '* its history has never been written"; and so, with commend-
able zeal and painstaking industry, he sets about removing the re-
proach, and adding what promises to prove, when completed, no
unworthy portion of the history of the county.
The First Part, divided into chapters, takes up the general history
of the district. The other parts treat in detail of the respective
parishes. Thus, chapter i discusses *Hhe origin and meaning of
the word Gower", and gives some information respecting its eariy
inhabitants, — a difficult thesis, as may well be believed. For the
name many meanings have been suggested, according to its supposed
derivation ; from — (1) Owyr (Men), from the fancied resemblance of
the " pitched stones" which abound in the country to the human
form, whence the name attached to them of "Meini Gwyr"; but,
unluckily for this theory, "Meini Gwyr" does not mean "Stone
Men", which would be " Gwyr Maen", but the " Stones of Heroes".
(2) Ohry^ ^y^, " the Men of Yonder Land", as distinguished from
those of Eastern Glamorganshire ; and this is backed up by a some-
what irrelevant discursus on Hebrew analogy. (3) Owyr, " fertile".
REVIEWS. 153
which maj be appropriate enough now, bnt hardly suited to the
period when the name was first given. (4) Oibyr, " sloping", which
is sufficiently accurate as a description, bnt hardly satisfactory.
Still lees so is that (5) to which Mr. Davies gives his adhesion, as
Go-Mr y "rather long", but which appears to us rather weak. (6)
Another form is that of Gwair (Caer Wair), in Taliesin's poem ;
but Mr. Davies says, rightly enough, that " the Fortress of Hay" is a
meaning at once ridiculous and unintelligible". But then the word
need not mean " hay" at all, but be a proper name, — " the Fortress of
Gh^r" ; and we know at least of a parish in Merionethshire whose
dedication is said to be St Gwair, but is always written Llan
Grower.^ By the way, we see no suggestion of any connection with
the name of the river " Ogwr", which may be quite as likely a clue
as any of those that have been noticed. Another name, however,
given to it is said to have been that of Bheged^ " a gift", com-
memorating a grant made to IJrien, one of Arthur's Knights. We
come, however, to more reliable ground when we find attention
drawn to the preponderance of Welsh names in the interior, though
Welsh has ceased to be spoken there, to the number of Danish
names on the coast, and the comparatively small number of Saxon
names in either part. The earliest historical mention appears to be
that of Nennius, who speaks of Cunedda driving out the Irish
during the latter half of the fourth century, A.D. 850-400.
Christianity is assumed to have been introduced about the middle
of the sixth century, because there are churches dedicated to SS.
David, Madoc, Cynnyd, and Illtyd of that era ; and this is a fair
ground of inference, although it may need to be borne in mind that,
on the one hand, later dedications may bear the name of earlier
saints, and, on the other, Fagan, and Dwyfan, and Medwy, who
evangelised the neighbourhood four centuries earlier, were not likely
to have overlooked a point so near them. We hesitate, indeed, to
adopt the langraage of our author when he writes that '* its history
now begins to be surrounded with the greatest possible interest,
coming before us as it does at a time when the power and the glory
of Wales was at its zenith, the age of chivalry and romance, and
having as a resident in this remote comer of it the celebrated Urien
Bbeged, one of the most £unous of King Arthur's Knights, who,
with his treacherous wife, Morgan Le Fay, doubtless entertained the
renowned Peredur and others on that wonderful journey through
the world in search of the Cauldron of Inspiration and the Symbolic
Lance," etc.; but we willingly accept the picture as a pleasing contrast
to set off the more prosy account of the cruel ravages of the
marauding Danes upon the coast, and of the more peaceful settle-
ment of the Flemings in the interior. There is one desideratum,
however, we cannot help noticing at the outset, and as it has not
* Another derivation, however, is given to this, as '*Ar gyfar", i.e.,
*' opposite" to Llanycil ; and the same might be applied just as aptly or
inaptly to Cydweli and Gower; and better still from the east, Morgan wg
and Gower.
154 REVIEWS.
been supplied in either of the two succeeding Parts, we venture at
once to name, in the hope that it may be given in the next instal-
ment, as it is one without which mucn of the interest of the descrip-
tion is lost, — ^we mean a good map of the district
Chapter ii treats of '* the occupation of Gbwer by the Danes",
who appear to have first landed here about the middle of the ninth
century ; and have left behind them such memorial names as
Oxwich, Helwick, Wormshead, Whitford, and Buny Holms along
the coast, with traces of their encampments in the interior in the
** Bulwark" on Llanmadoc Hill, on Tankey Lake Moor, and Harding's
Down ; in Llanrhidian and Penrice, in the former of which we
have such place-names as "Stafal Hagar" (Haugr^s Mound) and
" Hara Dara** and " Sigmond's Hill". In the course of a hundred
years the Danes appear to have become Christianised, and to have
got on a friendly footing with the Welsh: probably because the
latter were in continual fend one with another, and glad of the help
which they could bribe the Danes to give to one side or the other.
At all events, the story of the next hundred and fifty years tells of
little but their intestine quarrels, until they become sabject to the
Normans.
Chapter iii takes, up the conquest by the new comers under
Bernard Newraarch and Roger de Newburgh at the close of the
eleventh century. From Bernard the devolution of the lordship is
traced down to Alina, widow of John de Mowbray, executed at
York, 15 Edward II (1322), and daughter of William deBraose, the
last lord of Gower of this line, who died in 1826. This William
de Braose appears to have been a man of unscrupulous character,
and to have contracted to sell his Gower estates to the Earl of
Hereford, and then to ingratiate himself with Edward II to have
put Hugh de Spencer in possession, so that there arose great dis-
putes concerning these possessions between John de Mowbray, the
Earl of Hereford, the Mortimers, and the Despencers (p. 68).
Boyal Letters Patent and Parliamentary Bolls are quoted largely to
illustrate the descent ; and subsequent records are given tracing it
downwards, — Originalia Roll, 4 Henry IV (a.d. 1403), to Thomas
(Mowbray), Earl Marshal; Patent Roll 9 Edward IV (a.d. 1469),
to William Earl of Pembroke ; Patent Roll, 5 James I (a.d. 1608),
to Edward Earl of Worcester, ancestor of the Duke of Beaufort,
who still retains the ancient privileges.
In chapter iv the pros and cons of the controverted question of
the " Colonisation of Gower by the Flemings" are discussed. The
same subject was debated, it may be remembered, at the Swansea
meeting of the Association in 1861, and the report of that discus-
sion is here reproduced at length, together with a letter by " Beged*'
(Sir Gardner Wilkinson), in reply to a paper by Mr. C. H. Hartshome
in the Cambrian Journalj who had denied the existence of such a
colonisation. The conclusion arrived at may be summarised in the
statement that the evidence is rather inferential than positive ; and
that although there is little historical direct information on the
REVIEWS. 155
point, there is a local tradition to that effect, and a considerable
similarity in the features, habits, language, and customs of the
people of Gt)wer to those of South Pembrokeshire, who were
undoubtedly Flemish; still, not more than might arise from the
intercourse of close neighbours, who were alike aliens to the native
race, and so bound together by the ties of common interests and
mutual protection.
The last chapter, v, treats of " the occupation by the Romans",
a subject which, for symmetry's sake, should have received earlier
consideration. Mr. Davies here sets himself to answer *Hhe
question frequently asked, Are there any good grounds for supposing
that the Romans actually occupied Gower P" And his reply, which
is in the affirmative, is fortified by these three considerations :
1. The existence of a Roman station at Leacaram (Lloughor).
2. The discovery of pottery and coins near Swansea, and a tes-
Belated pavement at Oystermouth.
3. The finding of a considerable quantity of Roman money,
especially at Llethrid and in the Paviland Caves.
Part U. The parochial portion begins, as might be expected, with
an account of the two parishes of which the author is rector, viz.,
Llanmadoc and Cheriton ; and these are treated fully and carefully.
Commencing with a description of Llanmadoc Church, and its recent
restoration, Mr. Davies proceeds to tell us how it had been granted
in 1156 by Margaret, Countess of Warwick, to the Knights
Templars, on whose dissolution it was transferred to the Knights
Hospitallers, in whom it continued till the Dissolution, temp.
Henry YIII, since which time it has vested in the Crown. Indeed,
we are astonished to see what a large proportion of the churches of
Gower were appropriated to the Knights, — e.g.^ Loughor, Porteynon,
Llanrhidian, Walterston, Llandimor, Rhosili, Ilston, Penrice, Pen-
maen, and Cheriton. The particular establishment to which Llan-
madoc was granted was that of Dinmore in Herefordshire. Their
possessions were subsequently sold by Queen Elizabeth in a.d. 1559
to Anthony ManselL The Aubreys, who have been lords of the
manor from the year 1650, are then traced in succession to their
present representative, Mr. Charles Aubrey Aubrey ; and this leads
on to the civil and the natural history of the parish, including the
bone caves, with their fossil contents. Stone hammers and other
bronze implements found in the parish are next described and
figured ; but one of the most interesting objects is the quadrangular
bell (see p. 156), to which is attached a " History of St. Madoc's Bell",
from Irish sources. The " oldest register book", dating only from
1723, supplies one or two items of family interest, and the Terrier of
" 1734, Anidomini", gives some curious information about the method
of tithing followed in the parish, including among the items, *' from
every hen two eggs, and from every cock three eggs, to be paid in
Lent."
We notice a boundary cross found in the wall of the churchyard,
of which the illustration is a sufficient description. For this and
156
REVIEWS.
for the inscribed stone, vecti pilivs ovan hic ucit, we refer to Pro.
fessor Westwood's Lapidarium Wallue, pp. 49 and 237, 238, and
Plate 101.
Boundary Croes, Llanomdoo Churohyard.
Cheriton, like Llanmadoc, was early appropriated to the Knights
of St. John, but to a different house and the later Order, viz., the
Hospitallers of the Commandery of Slebech. The church of
Cheriton is not mentioned in the Taxatio Ecclenaatica of A.D. 1291,
but that of Llandimor is, so that it is probable that the latter has
been overthrown by the encroachment of the sea, and Cheriton has
taken its place. The edifice is of a better type, and earlier than
Bell in Llanmadoc Church.
that of Llanmadoc, consisting as it does of nave and chancel, with
a central tower, beneath which is the choir. The ancient altar slab
REVIEWS. 157
was bronglit to light during the restoration. One of the comers
had been broken off, and on the " three remaining were indications
of what were once probably small incised crosses, bnt which, from
the lapse of time and the exposed situation of the stone, were in two
otses fretted oat of all shape, and nothing bat mere holes ; in the
third comer faint chisel marks coald be traced. In the centre of
the stone there was also an irregular cavity. These I take to be the
remains of the five crosses, with which all those old altar stones
were invariably marked*' (p. 102). For ** the irregular cavity in
the centre" we would suggest another use, of which, we believe, the
examples are excessively rare ; and that it was a receptacle for the
preservation of some specially honoured relic. Some stencillings of
various dates were also discovered at the same time. Many interest-
ing notices are given of this parish, as of the last, from many
sources; and its caves and camps are carefully described, and a
history given of the Castle and Manor of Llandimor.* In the
middle of the fifteenth century it was the residence of Sir Hugh
END SECTION.
Ancient Altar-Slab at Cheriton.
Johnys, Knight Marshal of England, who, with Dame Margaret
his wife, was buried in the Church of St Mary's, Swansea, and of
whose memorial brass in that church an engraving and description
are given by Mr. Davies.
Part in continues the " History of West Gower" for the parishes
of Llangennydd and Bhosili with equal fulness of description and
increasing interest. Under the former we have not only the
parochial foundation traced back to the days of St. Cennydd in the
sixth century, bnt also an account of the Priory founded here by
Eoger de Bellomont, Earl of Warwick, in the reign of King
Stephen, and annexed by him to the Abbey of St. Taurinus at
Evreux in Normandy. As an alien priory, it was early dissolved,
and through the influence of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, appropriated to his newly founded College of All Souls in
Oxford. Close Rolls and other records are made to testify to the
' Qu., lilan-din-Mor ? the Church of the Fortress on the Sea.
158 REVIEWS.
correctness of the history, and nnmerons illustrations of the chnrch
and its monomental remains add to the interest. Terriers and
manorial deeds complete the monograph, and combine to fnmish a
very admirable Parochiale of Llangennydd. We may say the same
also for the account of Rhosili, with its ancient church, its fine
Norman doorway, font, and ankeret's window, of each of which a
drawing is given. A brief notice informs us that *' remains of an
old besanded church may be seen in the warren belonging to
Rhosilly glebe ; the site of this ruin lies about midway between the
parsonage house and the present parish church". Taken in connec-
tion with what has been said of Llandimor, it shows that the sea
must have made considerable encroachment on this coast. The
** Swine House", t.e., 8weyn How, or Sweyn's Mound, *' Worm's
(Orm's) Head", the " Smuggler's Cellar", " The Helwicks", the
Dollar Ship, the Paviland Caves, have each a section, as also the
respective manors of the parish, with their civil and genealogical
memoranda.
We cannot close this notice without again congratulating Mr.
Davies on his work, and we heartily wish him nealth and the
financial support to enable him to complete what he has so well
began and continued.
r GOMERTDD, DAS 1ST, GbAMMATIK DES KtMRAEO, ODEB DER KeLTO-
Walischen Spbache. Yon Ernst Sattler. Zurich und Leipzig.
This is a Welsh grammar written in German by one who, we
believe, is connected with the German- speaking part of Switzerland.
It is interesting to all who are connected with Wales, because it
shows the attention that b now given on the Continent, and especi-
ally in Germany, to the Celtic races and Celtic literatnre. Adelung,
in the last century, poured unmeasured contempt on these races and
tlieir languages. One half of all they uttered was borrowed from
Latin, one fourth from German, and the remaining fourth part
might possibly belong to the miserable barbarians. Even Bopp, in
the present century, denied at first that the Celtic languages be-
longed to the Indo-European or Aryan class : they were simply bar-
barous. All this is now changed. Bopp recognised his error, and
his celebrated paper, " Uber die Celtischen Sprachen vom Gesichts-
puukte der vergleichenden Sprachforschung" (On the Celtic Lan-
guages from the View-Point of Comparative Philology), which
appeared in the year 1838, brought the Celtic languages, as a part
ot the Aryan class, before German philologists, and led the way to
the laboured researches of Zeuss, Ebel, Windisch, Zimmer, and other
eminent scholars. As a proof of the more intelligent and scientific
study of these languages, we have now before us a grammar of the
Welsh language written for the use of Germans.
This book is the most extensive grammar of the language that
has yet been published. It consists of 418 pages, and is divided
REVIEWS. 159
into tbirty-fcbree chapters or divisions (hauptstikke). The author has
made good nse of the grammars written by John Williams (ab Ithel)
and Thomas Rowland. He refers to the Hanes Cymru by Price, to
the MahinogiOTiy and other well known Welsh books. His grammar
has evidently been written with much care, he has sought informa-
tion from the best sonrces, and yet his work is evidently the pro-
duction of one who is not very familiar with the country or its lan-
guage. We did not know before, as we are told in the Preface, that
Wales is bounded by the river Mersey. The Hundred of Wirral,
that lies between the Mersey and the Dee, has never, we believe,
been included in the Principality.
The author endeavours to give the pronunciation of Welsh words ;
but though the letter g has a hard sound, we have never heard
gwaedd pronounced as qtiaitk. He gives Iman as the Welsh equivalent
for the English quick; but buan in South Wales is unknown. It
would have been better to say North Welsh or Venedotian. Llet is
said to be the equivalent of the Eng. less ; but the only form we know
is llai, though there is some authority for Ueiach, Llai is a mutilated
form of the Sanskrit lagkfyas, the comp. of* laghu, little ; which is
retained in the Irish laogh=laghUy Welsh llo, calf, the little offspring
of the cow. We cannot understand why cyfagos^ instead of the
simpler agos^ should be offered as the substitute of the lost posi-
tive form of ««*, or why the form of the adjective which denotes
equality should be called " admirativus**. It denotes sometimes
admiration, but not primarily or necessarily. It represents the
Sanskrit adi^ which is put as a suffix to denote similarity or a class.
It might be called the form of similarity or of definite comparison.
Dr. John Davies says, referring to this form, " Est et comparationis
genus, quod sequiparationis dici potest."
Herr Sattler is mistaken in supposing that the W. Ao^, to be fond
of, or delight in, is from hoyw^ or that it meant primarily to be ex-
cited (erregt). Hoffi is the Welsh representative of the Sans. suhJidmi^
from suhh, to shine, to be gay or happy, to desire. The o in hoffi is
due to the influence of the following a, by what is called in Sanskrit
guna or qualification. The W. rhaid is not from the O. Ir. rect^ law.
Both these words and the Ir. lagh^ law, are connected with the
Sans, lag^ to fasten, to attach ; lagita^ fastened. They denote that
which binds us, to which we must be subject. The Sans, raj or
rai{f, for rag, has the same meaning, and is an older form. The W.
pert, to make, cannot be translated by the Germ, lassen. It is con-
nected with the Sans, hri, to make, by the common change from
a gnttural to a labial sound. The W. peidio, to cease, cannot pro-
perly be translated by the Lat. nolle ; nor is W. pallu, to fail, to
perish, connected with the Lat. pallere. Feidio, from paid ( =pali),
is related to the Sans, pat, to fall, sink down, subside ; and pallu to
the Sans, pall, to go. The Lat. pallere is probably connected with
Sans, palita, gray. (See Pick*, ii, 158.)
Herr Sattler does not seem to be acquainted with comparative
philology in its modern scientific form. If he had known it he
160 REVIEWS.
would not have said that the Welsh verbs caffael and cael were de-
rived from the Irish gabhail. They are all derived, as Sanskrit and
other languages, from the primitive Aryan tongue, spoken in a pre-
historic age by our common forefathers in some part of Central
Asia. They are connected with the Sans, grabh^ to take, seize, the
letter r having fallen out It is, however, retained in the W. crafi^^
to hold securely, and in the Arm. krapa, to seize, grapple. The
suffix 'cU is a verbal formative in the Celtic languages, as in Manx,
brebbal, to kick, from breb, a kick. It is at least rashness to assume
that in Welsh eb and ebu, to speak, are primitive forms. In the
Capella gloss the form is hepp, now hepy corresponding to the Sans.
a'abd, to speak (s' is a slight sh). From the Lithuanian sacau, I say,
and the German aagen^ it is probable that the primitive form was
sak.
One of the strangest errors of Herr Sattler is his assertion that
the W. cryn^ when it means moderate, middling (ZienUich), is from
the Ir. cruinn, round. There is no connection between the two
words of any kind. The W. cryn is related to the Ir. and Ghiel. crion^
dry, withered, small ; and both are connected with the Sans, /fnui^
dry, decayed, small, ^m «Vf, to decay. The palatal, sibilant ^ often
represents an older k, as in this instance. When cryn means trem-
bling, it is a variant of the Ir. crtthy probably from a form crithin ;
and criih is related to the Sans, ibrtt, to move to and fro, twist, spin.
We hope that our grammars will in future be marked by a higher
grade of scholarship. All forms that are capable of explanation
ought to be explained. The student's progress need not necessarily
be impeded by this process, and it will certainly be more intelligent.
Our limited space will only suffice for one or two examples. The
W. hyddofy docile, corresponds to the Sans. iUrdamOy easily sub-
dued, from su, a prefix denoting facility or excellence, and dam, to
subdue. The word gofer, rivulet, would be in Sanskrit ku-vartf ku
denoting inferiority, deficiency, or evil, and vari, water, a stream ;
O. W. ber^vari or bari.
We have endeavoured to correct some of Herr Sattler's errors ;
but we welcome his book as a good omen for Welsh philology, and
we bear witness to the great diligence that he has shown in study-
ing some of the best authorities in that department. He has, how-
ever, much to learn in the science of comparative philology before
he can be accepted as a fitting guide in the study of Welsh or auy
other language.
'§,n\iMalo$h €nmhunm.
FIFTH SERIES.— VOL. Ill NO. XI.
JULY 1886.
CAERPHILLY.
Few castles have received as much attention, or have
been so fully and ably described, as the castle of Caer-
philly. Those of our members who possess the entire
series, may well refer back to the volume of Archceo-
logia Cambrensis for 1850, and peruse the exhaustive
description of the castle and its details, which has
recently been incorporated by Mr. Clark in his work on
mediaeval military architecture ; but others, and many
of those who visited the castle last year, may still
expect in these later days a renewal of the story in the
current pages of our Journal. So an endeavour will
be made in the account which follows, to give a general
description of the castle, its position and defences, with
the aid of the old plan and wood engravings, and to
tell what is known of its history, making a free use of
Mr. Clark's materials, but avoiding a repetition of his
detailed account of the buildings.
Although Cardiff and the coast-line had been long
wrested from Wales by Norman invaders and their
successors, much of the land of Morganwg was still
debateable land, and hable to continual claims of the
princes of Wales as their own by right, and to conse-
quent invasions, until the death of Llewelyn ap Griffith,
and the conquest of Wales by King Edward. The
commots of Senghenydd, nominally under the rule of
6th 8EB., VOL. in. 11
162 CAERPHILLY.
Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, appear in the
latter part of the reign of Henry III to have been
inhabited as well by adherents of Llewelyn, as by those
who acknowledged the Earl as their lord. His prede-
cessor, Richard de Clare, had been Commander-in-Chief
of the king's forces in Glamorgan, Pembroke, and other
parts of Wales on the occasion of the Welsh insurrec-
tion in 1257 (41 Henry HI), and probably availed him-
self of his position to strengthen his power and increase
his territory. He died in 1262, and his son. Earl
Gilbert, inherited his large possessions in Glamorgan-
shire, including Senghenydd, within which Caerphilly
is situated.
On the 19th June 1265 Llewelyn entered into a
treaty of peace with the King, and formally acknow-
ledged him as his lord ; but the terms of the treaty do
not appear to have been long adhered to by Llewelyn,
for in the summer of 1270^ he wrote to the King's
brother, Richard, King of the Romans, declining to
give up the land which he occupied to the King and
Prince Edward, and stated that he had invaded the
land as belonging of right to him and his ancestors,
under the conviction that Edward was bent on the
destruction of himself and of Wales, his country.
Continual proposals appear to have been made by the
King to Llewelyn to settle any infractions of the treaty
of peace, which were as often evaded by Llewelyn's
non-attendance or excuse.
Caerphilly, situated in a valley opening eastward to
the river Rhymney, from which it was about a mile
distant, was a suitable site for a fortification to check
th^ inroads of the Welsh from the mountains of
Glamorganshire into the fertile plains in the neighbour-
hood of Cardiff. The only natural advantage of the
site was a swamp, through which a brook, known as
Nant y Gledwr, flowed on its course into Rhymney.
Of this. Earl Gilbert, a few years after his succession
to the earldom, availed himself, by making excavations,
' Shirley's Royal Letters^ Henry III, vol. ii, p. 312.
CAERPHILLY. 163
throwing up earthworks, damming up the brook, and so
converting the elevated part of the marsh into an
island surrounded by water, as a suitable site for his
intended castle. The documentary evidence which esta-
blishes the fact that Earl Gilbert was the builder of
the castle there, at the same time leads to the conclu-
sion that his first castle was rebuilt, or very much
enlarged, before it assumed the proportions or import-
ance of the castle now in ruins.
In the early part of 1271 the King empowered the
Bishops of Coventry and Worcester to act with Roger
Mortimer and R. de Leyburn as Commissioners in
hearing and determining at the ford of Montgomery, in
the beginning of February, all causes of complaint
between Llewelyn and Earl Gilbert, and all transgres-
sions of Llewelyn against the form of his peace with
the King. This arrangement was notified to Llewelyn
and the Earl, and they were ordered meanwhile to
abstain from hostilities.
Llewelyn, however, disregarding the King's injunc-
tion, invaded the EarFs territory in the Marches with
banners displayed and a large army, intending to lay
siege to the castle of Caerphilly. With a view to
prevent further hostilities, Earl Gilbert, at the King's
instance, agreed to surrender his castle to the King,
pending the settlement of the matters in dispute ; and
on the 25th October the same Bishops were authorised
by the King's letters patent to take the castle into
their custody in the King's name, unless Llewelyn with-
drew with his army, and named a day for the hearing
and determining of his alleged grievances at the ford
of Montgomery. The Bishops accordingly went to
Caerphilly, and on the 2nd November entered into an
agreement with Llewelyn, who was then actively
besieging the castle, which is stated to have been lately
erected by Earl Gilbert, that the Prince with his army
should withdraw from the siege, and allow the Bishops
to take possession, in the King's name, of the castle,
until the King granted the custody of it to some one
lia
164 CAERPHILLY.
who was entirely unconnected with the Prince or the
Earl, the Prince entering into an engagement, pending
the settling of the contention relative to the castle,
not to wage war against the Earl or his followers, nor
to interfere with his men or tenants in going and
coming, or carrying on their usual trade or business.
In return, the Bishops, in the King's name, promised on
the Earl's part to withdraw the garrison from the
castle, and that, pending the contention, the Earl would
not interfere with the castle by the increase of its
ditches, in the repair or rebuilding of its walls, or
increasing the fortifications, in addition to its then state,
and that its occupants on the King's behalf would, in
like manner, abstain from any further works for its
defence, and from waging war against the Prince, or
preventing his followers carrying on their usual mer-
chandise. It was further arranged that the men of
Senghenydd, whether partisans of the Prince or of the
Earl, should dwell in the places where they then were.
The Bishops also promised that the castle should not
pass out of their hands until the determination of the
dispute, and appointed a day for the hearing of it.
We obtain further information of what took place on
the occasion, and afterwards, from the King's letter to
his brother Richard. It appears that Llewelyn claimed
the site of the castle as his own, and laid siege to it with
a view of totally destroying it ; he alleged that he might
have accomplished his objcKjt on the third day if he had
not entered into the treaty with the Bishops that the
castle should remain in its then state as regards the
walls, ditches, bretashes, provisions, and other matters,
until their decision on the hearing. The Bishops
received possession of the castle under the Earls
authority from his Constable with much difficulty on
Llewelyn's part, and placed their men in it, waiting the
arrival of the King's garrison. Soon after the siege
was raised, the Earl's Constable of Cardiff Castle, with
forty men-at-arms, arrived at Caerphilly. Secretly
approaching the castle, he sought admission to search
CAERPHILLY. 165
for and see the arms of the Earl's men. The Bishops,
not suspecting anything wrong, permitted the Constable
to enter, whereupon he obtained leave that one of his
soldiers, who was well acquainted with what was in the
castle, and afterwards a third, might be admitted.
After a scrutiny of the arms, they returned to the gate
and admitted the remainder of the forces into the
castle. On their entry, the Constable of Cardiff engaged
to hold the castle in the King's name, and the Bishops,
unable to contend with the difficulty, gave up to him
the custody of the castle.
Llewelyn complained of this infraction of the agree-
ment to the King, who, on the 22nd February 1272,
wrote to him in answer that the Earl justified his
resumption of possession of the castle, on the ground
that the Bishops had no authority to enter into such a
treaty without the Earl's assent, and asked that some
of the King's soldiers should form its garrison, and
hold it until Easter, when Commissioners to be ap-
pointed might do full justice as to the matter in dis-
pute ; to this the King had assented, and he summoned
Llewelyn to attend the hearing accordingly. An
adjournment again took place ; ultimately, on the 30th
October 1272, at the instance of Anian, Bishop of St.
Asaph, the King, who was about to proceed to France
to do homage for his Duchy of Aquitaine and lands
in that kingdom, informed Llewelyn that Prince
Edward, who was then on his return from the Holy
Land, would preside at the hearing, which was pro-
rogued to the Easter following.^
This arrangement was interrupted by the King's
death on the 16th November and the continued absence
of Edward, who did not return to England until the
2nd August 1274. His coronation took place on the
1 9th August. Llewelyn, although summoned to attend,
* As regards Llewelyn's siege, see " County Bags, Wales", Box
143 B, No. 27 (the contents of which are printed in Arch, Camb.,
N.S., vol. i, p. 285) ; Patent Rolls, 66 H. Ill, m. 1 ; and Shirley's
LeUerSj vol. ii, p. 343.
166 CAERPHILLY.
was not present at the coronation ; we may, therefore,
assume, from Llewelyn's absence and open hostility soon
afterwards, that no hearing took place, and that the
Earl continued in possession, although the district of
Senghenydd again became the scene of warfare, and so
continued until the death of Llewelyn and the final
conquest of Wales.
Any one who regards the ruins of the castle will
recognise how improbable it is that Llewelyn could
have passed through its several defences, and have
taken it on the third day, or that the gate through
which the Constable of Cardiff passed would have
placed his followers on their entrance in possession of
the castle. The redoubt on the north-west of the
castle may have been the site of the castle which Llew-
elyn besieged ; and Earl Gilbert, under a sense of its
insecurity and the probability of a fresh assault on the
part of Llewelyn, may have built a new castle in the
marsh, with every defence which the military science
of the day suggested. If the castle stands on its
original site, its fortifications must have been greatly
increased on all sides after Lleweljni's siege.
Caerphilly is considered by Mr. Clark to be both
the earliest and the most complete example of the
Edwardian, or concentric, castle in the kingdom. It
comprises within its fortifications a larger extent of
land than any other fortress in Wales. Adopting the
words of Mr. Clark, " The first characteristic of a con-
centric castle is the arrangement of its lines of defence,
one within the other, two, or even three deep, with
towers at the angles and along the walls, so placed that
no part is left entirely to its own defences"; and again,
"The paints of the lines of defence were so arranged
that the garrison could sally from one part, and so
harass the attack upon another ; moreover, each part,
tower, or gatehouse, and sometimes each stage of a
building, was so contrived that it could be held sepa-
rately for a short time ; also, from the concentric
arrangement of the lines, a breach of the outer wall did
not involve the loss of the place."
CAERFIHIIILILT CAS^
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CAERPHILLY. 167
A reference to the plan of the castle will at once
show how well Caerphilly answered the conditions of
such a fortress. Built on a gravelly eminence in the
centre of the marsh, surrounded by moats, which could
at any time be filled with water by damming up Nant
y Gledwr and the water which flowed on the northern
part of the swamp, the outer defence of the castle on
the east was a wide moat, on the opposite side of
which ran, for a length of 250 yards, a strong curtain
wall, with towers at intervals on it, and postern gates
at either end of the curtain. At its southern end
were strong towers to protect the dam and sluice in the
curtain, by which the waters of the lake were retained
and regulated. Nearly in the centre of this curtain
the eastern gatehouse, built on a large fortified plat-
form, was approached by a drawbridge of two spans,
each connected by a large pier in the outer moat. On
the platform was a corn-mill for the use of the garrison.
Passing across the platform, another drawbridge over
an inner moat, about 45 feet wide, led to the gatehouse
of the middle ward, defended by two towers, with
half-round projections on either side of the gateway,
and connected with a large gatehouse on the western
front by curtain walls in the form of a parallelogram,
rounded, or bowed outwards, at each of its angles.
A somewhat narrow terrace occupied the space between
the fortifications of the middle and inner wards. The
inner ward formed a quadrangle, measuring 200 feet in
length from east to west, and 160 feet in width, enclosed
by curtain walls, capped at each angle by a round
bastion tower, with two lofty gatehouses on the east
and west fronts, each gateway having two half-round
towers as its defence. The hall and domestic buildings
were on the southern side of the inner ward, and com-
municated with a large tower and water-gate in the
curtain of the middle ward. The western approach
was further protected by a large hornwork, or barbican,
of earth, scarped off to the level of the wall, by which
it was surrounded, and communicating by a drawbridge
1G8 CAERPHILLY.
across a moat with the western gate. It also, by
means of cross cuts, could be surrounded by water.
This brief description, with the aid of the plan, may
give a general notion of the nature and extent of the
fortifications, which were probably carried out by Earl
Gilbert during the reign of the first Edward.
On the marriage of Earl Gilbert in 1290 with King
Edward's daughter, Joan, the Earl's Glamoi^nshire
estates were regranted by the King to the Earl and
his Countess jointly and their issue. Earl Gilbert died
in 1295. The Extent, taken at Caerphilly on the
22nd Feb. 1297, before a jury composed of David the
wheelwright (Qhuelwryghte), Robert Chambers (de
Camera), Richard de Bromfel, John le Bakere, Ithel le
Webbe, and Yeuan le Melleward, probably retainers
connected with the castle, states that there was there
a castle in good coi^dition, and well fortified, with a
fish-pond (vivarium) of the value of which the jury-
were ignorant ; also 80 acres of arable land, worth
yearly 13s. id.; 16 acres of pasture worth 4^. ; 80
burnt burgage tenements, which before the war were
wont to yield yearly 405. ; also two mills, which before
the war were worth yearly 16 marcs, and were then
worth nothing, because the country around was laid
waste. The pleas and perquisites of court, worth
formerly 405., yielded nothing. They also found that
Gilbert de Clare and Joan jointly held of the King in
chief, and that Gilbert de Clare, their son, then of the
age of four years, was their next heir.
The Inquisition post-mortem on the death of the
Countess, taken at Caerphilly before the Escheator and
a Welsh jury on the 9th June 1307, gives some further
information as to the town. The water-mill is valued
at £5 yearly, and the fulling-mill as worth nothing.
In the town of Caerphilly were forty-two burgesses,
who each held with his tenement an acre of land at
the yearly rent of Is. ; other burgesses held 18|^
burgage tenements, without land, at an aggregate
yearly rent of 95. 3d. There were also two burgesses
CAERPHILLY. 169
who held two burgage tenements, destroyed during the
war, at a yearly rent of 8d. The burgesses were pro-
bably free from all services, except service in time of
war and attendance at the lord's courts.
Gilbert, the succeeding Earl, had livery of his lands
in 1307 (1 Edw. II), notwithstanding his minority.
He was then and in after years engaged in the war
with Scotland, and was killed while leading the van-
guard of the King's army at the battle of Bannock-
burn, 24 June 1314. He left three sisters, his co-
heiresses, the eldest of whom, Eleanor, became the
wife of Hugh le Despenser the younger. The Inquisi-
tion taken on his death throws no light on the then
state of the Castle; but we learn from it that the
water-mill was then let for 1005., and the fulling-mill
again in working order and let for 50^. The custody
of his castles and lands in Glamorganshire (including
Caerphilly) was shortly afterwards committed to John
de Everdon and Ingelram Berenger, as Constables
during the King's pleasure.^
In the early part of 1316, while the castles and lands
were in the King's hands, Llewelyn ap Rhys (better
known as Llewelyn Bren), who had been deprived of a
considerable post which he held under the late Earl,
took advantage of the exactions of the King's ministers
in those parts to stir up an insurrection of the Welsh
for redress of their grievances. Invading the late Earl's
possessions in Glamorganshire, he surprised and took
away captive the Constable of Caerphilly while he was
holding his court outside the Castle, and then attacked
the Castle, where he " met with such a resistance as
prevented his entrance, although he succeeded in burn-
ing all the outward walls."* This statement of the
chronicler must be an exaggeration of what took place.
Llewelyn Bren may have burnt all the wooden defences
in his way, but he could not have done much damage
by fire to the walls.
1 Rot. Original., 8 Edward XL
2 See Arch, Cainb., N.S., vol. ii, " On the Insurrection of Llewelyn
Bren", and the monk of Malmesbury there cited.
1 70 CAERPHILLY.
In 1318 Hugh le Despenser obtained a confirmation
of all the royalties within the territories and .lordships
of Glamorgan and Morgan wg which the late Earl en-
joyed, as the share of his wife Eleanor in her inherit-
ance. Taking advantage of the excessive favour shown
to him, as Chamberlain of the Household, by the King,
he enriched himself with insatiable avarice by encroach-
ing on the lands of others, obtained numerous grants
of forfeited lands and castles, and so provoked a rising
of the Lords of the Marches, the temporary banishment
of himself and his father, and in the end their disgrace
and ruin.
To him we may attribute the almost palatial exten-
sion and alteration of the hall of Caerphilly Castle,
which measures 73 ft. by 35 ft., and was about 30 ft.
high. The hall was lighted by four lofty and well pro-
portioned windows in the Decorated style, in the
north wall, at the east end of which was a fine door-
way, corresponding in style and form with the windows,
and leading into the inner court. The roof was sup-
ported by fourteen short clustered pilasters resting
upon corbels terminating in triple heads, beautifully
executed in oolitic stone. The south and end walls
were plastered ; but the north wall, probably rebuilt,
is cased with ashlar-work of oolitic stone. Empty
grooves in the south wall, once filled with the upright
posts of the hammer-beams in the earlier roof, and a
joint of walling, still visible in the west wall, aflFord
further evidence of the partial rebuilding and extension
of the hall.^ A reference to the wood engraving will
render any further description of it unnecessary ; but
it may be well to note that the present wooden roof,
supported by the pilasters, is a very recent work, erected
for a social gathering.
The confederate nobles, in their attempt to redress
their grievances against the younger Despenser in 1321,
^ The practical eye of Mr. Stephen W. Williams noted these alter-
ations, and he called my attention to them on the spot.
CAEHPHILLY. 171
laid waste his Glamorganshire lands^ and reduced and
destroyed many of his castles. Caerphilly may have
been taken, but it escaped any serious damage. In the
Parliament of May 1323 the proceedings against the
Despensers were reversed, their exile was repealed, and
the elder Despenser was created Earl of W inchester.
Their restoration to the royal favour, and the advan-
tage which the younger Despenser took of the King's
weakness of character, renewed their unpopularity. In
March 1325 Queen Isabella crossed over to France on
a visit to the King, her brother ; but she soon expressed
her determination not to return to England until the
Despensers were dismissed by the King. In Septem-
ber following Prince Edward left for France, to do
homage in his father's stead, and was detained there
by the Queen in order to further her designs against
tne King. On the 24th of September 1326, the Queen
and Prince Edward, with the Earl of Kent, Roger Mor-
timer, and other exiles, landed at Harwich, where she
was well received by a large number of nobles and
several bishops, and soon assembled a large army at her
disposal
On hearing of the Queen's approach, and that the
commonalty of the kingdom as well as the city of Lon-
don adhered to her cause, the King withdrew, on the
29th of September, from London, in company with the
two Despensers, by way of Gloucester, to Chepstow,
where, on the 16th of October, he appointed the Earl
of Winchester the commander-in-chief of his forces in
the West, and committed to him the defence of Bristol
and its Castle. With a view to prevent the King's
escape, the Queen rapidly followed, with her army, the
King's movements. She reached Wallingford on the
15th of October, and proceeded to Gloucester, where
she received a considerable accession to her forces, and
sent forward the best of her troops to Bristol, which
the Earl of Winchester was speedily forced to surren-
der. On receiving the news of its surrender, the Queen
moved onward, and arrived at Bristol on the 26th of
173 CAERPHILLY.
October. On the following day the Earl of Winchester
was condemned by popular clamour, without a trial,
and executed.
Meanwhile the King, with the younger Despenser,
had left Chepstow for Caerphilly, in the hope of getting
his vassals in Pembrokeshire, Glamorganshire, Gower,
and other parts of South Wales, to rise in his favour.
While at CardiflF on the 27th, and at Caerphilly on the
29th and 30th of October, he issued commissions to
Rhys ap Griffith and others for the purpose. Disap-
pointed in his attempt to thus raise an army, he left
Caerphilly, committing the custody of the Castle to '
John de Felton. Proceeding to Margam, where, on
November 4, he issued a commission for the defence of
the coast against his enemies, he embarked with De-
spenser in a vessel for the coast of Ireland. After beat-
ing about with a contrary wind, for a few days, in the
Bristol Channel, he returned, landing privately at
Swansea, and took refuge in Neath Abbey. From
thence, on Nov. 10 th, he sent the Abbot, his nephew,
Edward de Bohun, and others, to treat with the Queen
and Prince Edward, who had assumed the government
of the kingdom.
Leaving Neath with Despenser and a few other fol-
lowers, the King again arrived at Caerphilly. Despair-
ing of any arrangement with the Queen, and anxious
to escape, he appears to have again left the Castle after
he had committed its custody to Roger de Chandos, a
few years previously SheriflF of Herefordshire, aad en-
trusted the care of all his gold and silver, arms, victuals,
and other effects in the Castle to Thomas de London.^
The Queen, with her army, had arrived at Hereford,
where she stayed a month. From thence she sent the
Earl of Leicester, William la Zouche of Mortimer, and
Rhys ap Howel, with others who were well acquainted
with the country, to find out and seize the King in his
retreat. This, by the aid of bribes, and with the aid
* Ahbrev. EoL OiuyinaL, vol. i, p. 382.
CAERPHILLY. 173
of the Welsh, they succeeded in accomplishing. The
King was taken, on the 16th of November, near the
Castle of Llantrissant, with Robert de Baldok and
Simon de Redyng, and Despenser, in a neighbouring
wood. They were all taken to Hereford, where, on the
24th of November, Despenser was arraigned without
trial, and executed.*
A pardon was granted, on the 4th of January follow-
ing, in the King's name, to all in the Castle of Caer-
philly, except Hugh, the son of the younger Despenser.'
He gallantly. continued its defence in the King's name,
and held it against his assailants until Easter, when
he surrendered it on security given for the lives of
himself and the garrison. William la Zouche had pro-
bably the conduct of the siege, as he received an allow-
ance (1 Edward HI) for thirty men at arms to besiege
the Castle if it should not be rendered. His mother,
Eleanor, was detained a priBoner, with her family, in
the Tower of London, until February 13?.8, when she
was liberated, and received into the Kings favour.
Shortly afterwards she married William la Zouche, who
in the early part of 1329 laid siege to the Castle of
Caerphilly, then in the King's hands.' Roger Morti-
mer, Earl of March, the King's Justiciary for Wales,
was directed to raise the siege, and bring William la
Zouche and Eleanor into the King's presence. What-
ever difficulties there may have been, all was satisfac-
torily adjusted, and in 1330 the King restored to them
and the heirs 6f his cousin, Eleanor, the land of Glamor-
gan and Morgan wg. Hugh, her son, received in 1333
the King's pardon for the defence of the Castle,* and
on his mother's death, in 1337, had livery of her lands
in Glamorganshire and elsewhere.
Little more remains to be told of what happened to
^ For the King's flight, see Patent Rolls, 20 Edward II; Adami
Marimuth., Chnmicon, p. 46 ; and Carte's Ilidory,
* Patent Rolls, 20 Edward II, m. 3.
* Rjmer's Fcpdera, vol. iv, p. 374
* Patent Rolls, 6 Edward III, m. 26.
1 74 CAERPHILLY.
the Castle of Caerphilly. It appears to have been in a
defensible position at the time of Owen Glvndwr's
rising, for the defence of the Castles of Caerphdly and
Ewvas Lacy was committed by the King to Constance
Lady Despenser on the 8th of September 1403. Before
the middle of the same century it ceased to be a forti-
fied residence, and had fallen to the condition of a
prison. When Leland visited it, in the reign of Henry
V III, it was used for the same purpose, and had fallen
into a ruinous state. Wind and weather since have
done much to increase its ruin ; and the hand of man,
in the endeavour to destroy with gunpowder several of
the bastions of the middle ward and towers, and in the
removal of the ornamental stonework of the exterior of
the hall, has done more ; but the bare walls still stand
to attest its past gi*andeur and the scientific skill of its
builder.
R. W. B.
175
THE
PORTIONARY CHURCHES OF MEDIAEVAL
NORTH WALES ;
THEIR TRIBAL RELATIONS, AND THE SINECURISM
CONNECTED THEREWITH.
In the year 1291 was made, as is very well known, a
valuation of all the ecclesiastical benefices of England
and Wales. The record of this valuation, commonly
called The Taxatio of Pope Nicholas, is full of interest-
ing information concerning the time to which it relates.
We gather from Tlie Taxatio that, at the date of it,
while in the two northern dioceses of Wales, to each
parish there belonged, for the most part, but a single
priest, there was in almost every deanery at least one
parish (generally more than one), the revenues of which
were divided into " portions", — the shares of an equal
number of priests to the same parish belonging.
In the case of several of the parishes noticed in The
Taxatio, some of the priests were really curates in
charge of chapels dependent upon the parish church
(see p. 195) ; but cases of this kind are only here men-
tioned to be excluded for the present from considera-
tion. It is the case of those parishes in which two or
more priests were connected with the parish church
itself, whether the church had chapels dependent on it
or not, that we have in the first place to consider.
The shares of the parochial revenues which were
enjoyed by the several priests connected with the
parish church, are called, as we have seen in The Tax-
atio and elsewhere, ** portiones" or " portions*', a name
which will henceforth suflBce for designating them. The
priests themselves, to whom these "portions" were
severally assigned, may then be called "comportion-
ers", and the churches in conne^jtion with which this
arrangement subsisted " portionary churches''.
1.76 PORTION ART CHURCHES
The portionary churches of mediaeval North Wales,
which we have now to study, ought properly to be
arranged, it soon becomes evident, in two distinct
groups. To the first group belonged those churches
in the case of which all the comportioners were resi-
dentj actually serving the church with which they
were connected, and forming within it a sort of college
or society of canons or prebendaries. These we will
call ''collegiate portionary churches". We shall here-
after see that while some of these belonged to the class
of collegiate churches common in England, others were
of a type peculiar to this part of Wales.
The second group of portionary churches will then
include all those churches in the case of which the com-
portioners were non-resident, their place being sup-
plied by a single priest called "the vicar", who had
undivided charge of the parish, . and to whom was,
therefore, surrendered a portion, but seldom so much
as a half, of the parochial revenues. The tithes were
thus divided into vicarial and rectorial, and the recto-
rial tithes into two or more " portions", enjoyed seve-
rally by an equal number of sinecurists.^ We will call,
therefore, the churches in connection with which this
arrangement subsisted, "churches of the portionary
sinecures". Most of the portionary churches of the dio-
ceses of St. Asaph and Bangor belonged formerly to
this group.
Postponing, for the present, the consideration of the
distinction between these two classes of portionary
churches, let us fix our attention upon the phenomenon
in respect of which they agree, the division of their
tithes into distinct " portions". What was the origin
of these portions ? And to what did they correspond ?
We will study this problem first of all in connection
with a church concerning which we happen to know a
1 I have assumed above that the sinecure comportioners were all
priests ; and I believe not merely that all of them were originally in
orders, but also that in 1291 most of them were still so; but it is
not impossible that by the thirteenth century some of the sinecure
** portions'* may have been in the possession of laymen.
OF MEDIiEVAL NORTH WALES. 177
great deal, the collegiate church of Caergybi, or Holy-
head, in Anglesey. This church was formerly served
by a college of twelve canons or prebendaries. Now
there are extant two lists, compiled apparently about
the middle of the fourteenth century, in which are
given not merely the names of the priests occupying
the several canonries within the church of Caergybi,
but also the names of those in whom the patronage of
the said canonries rested. The patronage of each
canonry was in the hands, we note, not of a single per-
son, but of a group of persons, the descendants of a
common forefather. But it is necessary to take cogni-
zance of the details of this curious arrangement, and I
therefore give below^ a summary of one of the two lists
^ 1 and 2. The canonries held by Llewelyn ap Rhys ap lorwerth
and Robert Appleby were in the patronage of lenan ap Madoc ap
Ithel and six others, all of whom were of the progeny of Cadwgan
ap Llywarch.
3 and 4. The canonries held by Master Hagh Trygam and John
ap Grono ap William were in the patronage of Mallt ferch Graffydd
ap Eden and five others, all of whom were of the progeny of Madoc
ap Llywarch.
5 and 6. The canonries held by Adam Bryan and Thomas Mar-
chant were in the patronage of the sons of Cyfnerth ap Meredydd
and seven other persons, all of whom were of the progeny of lor-
werth ap Llywarch.
7. The canonry held by [Walter] Swaffham was in the patronage
of the sons of Dafydd ap Menrig, of the heirs of Madoc ap Cyfnerth
Goch, of the heirs of Dafydd ap Cyfnerth Goch, of the heirs of
Adda Goch, and of fonr persons besides, all of whom were of the
progeny of Bledrws ap Hwfa.
8. The canonry held by Master John Gayer was in the patronage
of lorwerth ap Einion ap Madoc Goch and twelve others, all of
whom were of the progeny of Cyfnerth ap Hwfa.
9. The canonry held by ..... By ggyng was in the patronage of
Sir John Kighley, Knight, of William ap Gmffydd. and of ten others,
all of whom were of the progeny of lenan ap Hwfa.
10. The canonry held by Sorsby was in the patronage of
Llywelyn ap Hwlcyn ap Hywel and fourteen others, all of whom
were of the progeny of lorwerth ap Hwfa.
1 1 . The canonry held by Hywel ap Llywelyn ap lenan ap Tndor
was in the patronage of William ap Ithel Fychan and sixteen others,
all of whom were of the progeny of Grono ap lorwerth.
12. The canonry held by Thomas Toon was in the patronage of
the representatives of the two progenies last named.
5th sir., vol. iit. 12
178 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
named. Now it is quite clear, from the form in which
the statements made in the list is given, that the
patrons of the several canonries in Caergybi Church
were the existing representatives of certain "cenedloedd"
or " kins' V who occupied a corresponding number of
" gwelyau", or tracts of tribal land, within the parish
of the same. The proof, however, of this statement
will not, perhaps, be properly appreciated by all unless
the terms used in it be exactly explained. This, there-
fore, will now be done.
A " gwely" was the land occupied by a '* cenedl" or
group of persons springing from the " gwely'' or bed of
a common ancestor. It was at first the land of this
same ancestor, and after his death was tied up or en-
tailed for three generations ; being, however, shared
equally meanwhile, in the first generation among the
sous, in the second generation among the grandsons,
and in the third generation among the great-grandsons
of the original proprietor. But throughout all these
successive partitions the " gwely" still held together,
and was regarded as a unit, and it still bore the name
of the first owner of it. Thus " Gwely Ithel ap Madoc"
was the name of the land which belonged at first to
Ithel ap Madoc, and which was still held by his pro-
geny ; that is to say, by such of his sons, grandsons, or
great- grandsons, as survived. I think it can be proved
that even after the third partition the " gwely" still,
for certain purposes, held together ; but it is evident
that after that event the existing representatives of
the original proprietor might themselves become stock-
fathers of new kins, and a new group of ** gwelyau" be
formed, or a wholly new "tref^ laid out.
^ " Cenedl'* is the word always used in the Welsh laws for such
a kin as is above described. This word has now a wider signifi-
cance.
2 A " gafael" was a theoretical landed holding, the fourth part of
a normal "tref" or township, assumed for the purposes of revenue
to contain sixty-four **erws** of land, and chargeable with fifteen
pence a year *' twnc", or tax, to the lord of the commote. When,
therefore, a "gwely'*, in being assessed for " twnc", was treated as
OF MEDIEVAL NORTH WALES. 179
We are now able to appreciate the significance of the
statement made in the list, that the twelve canonries
of Caergybi Church were in the gift of eight distinct
** progenies". These progenies were as follow : the pro-
geny of Cadwgan ap Lly warch, the progeny of Madoc
ap Lly warch, the progeny of lorwerth ap Lly warch,
the progeny of Bledrws ap Hwfa, the progeny of Cyf-
nerth ap Hwfa, the progeny of leuan ap Hwfa, the
progeny of lorwerth ap Hwfa, the progeny of Grono ap
lorwerth.
If, now, we have interpreted the statement of the
list correctly, there must formerly have been within
the district served by the church of Caergybi an equal
number of*' gwelyau",or "gafaels'V called by the names
of the stock-fathers of the above progenies. These
"gwelyau"or ''gafaels" would bear the following names:
Gwely Cadwgan ap Lly warch, Gwely Madoc ap Lly-
warch, Gwely lorwerth ap Llywarch, Gwely Bledrws
ap Hwfa, Gwely Cyfnerth ap Hwfa, Gwely leuan ap
Hwfa, Gwely lorwerth ap Hwfa, Gwely Grono ap lor-
werth.
Now in the year 1353, near to the date of the com-
pilation of the lists under discussion, a minute survey
was actually made of the county of Anglesey, and we
turn eagerly to the record of this survey to ascertain
whether any of the '*gwelyau" bearing these names
in the neighbourhood of Caergybi are mentioned in it.
Glancing through that portion of the survey which
relates to the commote of Talybolion, in which com-
mote Caergybi is situated, we find " Caerkeby" (that is
Caergybi or Holyhead) returned with " Bodewygan" as
a hamlet of the township of " Treflowar", or Tref Lly-
a " gafael", it was often called by that name. Thns the tract of
tribal land inhabited by the progeny of Ithel ap Madoc (see above)
might, nnder the conditions named, be called " GafaeV* Ithel ap
Madoc instead of* Gwely** Ithel ap Madoo. In my History of Ancient
Tenures of Land in the Marches of North Wales I have dealt some-
what minutely with the ** gafael" and its contents, as well as gene-
rally with the land system of ancient Wales.
^ See note 2, p. 178.
12«
1 80 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
warch ; and within the limits of this township with its
two hamlets, of which Caergybi was one, three of the
"gwelyau" above indicated are actually described, Gwely
Cadwgan ap Lly warch, Gwely Madoc ap Llywarch,
and Gwely lorwerth ap Llywarch. It is further said
that in the first named " gwely" were two bovates of
land, then escheat to the lora, and unoccupied, but
formerly the land of Madoc ap Llewelyn ; and that this
Madoc had a share in the election of two prebendaries
in Caergybi, — an election which had at first belonged
to Cadwgan ap Llywarch. We note also that among
the coheirs to whom Gwely Cadwgan ap Llywarch be-
longed was a man called Tudor ap Hywel ap Tudor.
Now the name of Tudor ap Hywel also appears in *' the
list" among the names of those of the progeny of
Cadwgan ap Llywarch who possessed the patronage of
two of the Caergybi canonries. We may thus be quite
certain that we have identified three out of the eight
*' gwelyau" to which the patronage of the Caergybi
canonries pertained.
Now let us turn our attention to the five " gwelyau"
that remain to be identified. None of these other five
"gwelyau" can be traced in the township or even in the
commote which contained the " gwelyau" named after
the sons of Llywarch. Let us, therefore, examine that
portion of the survey which relates to the commote
adjoining, the commote of Llifon, — a commote into
which, as we know, the ancient parish of Caergybi ex-
tended. Here we come upon a description of the t.own-
ship of " Comissok" (Conissiog ?), with a group of ham-
lets, among the names of which we recognise those of
Bodedeyrn,Llechylched, DeubwU (preserved in Llanfair
yn Neubwll),and Llechgynfarwy/ parishes in that part
of the mainland of Anglesey which lies nearest to the
Island of Holyhead.
Belonging to this township, with its group of hara-
^ I desire to acknowledge the help rendered me in identifying
these place-names by Mr. Thomas Prichard of Llanerchymedd. .
OF MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 181
lets, we find enumerated four other of the " gwel yau"
we are in search of, namely Gwely Bledrws ap Hwfa,
Gwely Cyfnerth ap Hwfa, Gwely leuan ap Hwfa, and
Gwely lorwerth ap Hwfa ; and again, among the names
of the occupiers of these " gwelyau'', we note several
whose names appear again in the list of patrons of the
Caergybi canonries.
We have thus identified seven out of the eight
" gwelyau" with which the patronage of those canonries
was connected. The eighth ^' gwely", that of Grono ap
lorwerth, cannot be identified, though we may con-
clude, from what will be advanced in the next para-
graph, that it lay in the same township wherein were
situate the " gwelyau" of the several sons of Hwfa.
Let us now recur to the eight progenies owning the
eight "gwelyau" just described. If we take note of
these progenies as they are enumerated on p. 1 79, we
shall observe that the progenitors of the first three of
them were brothers, and the sons of one Llywarch.
This Llywarch was, we learn from other sources, Lly-
warch ap Bran ap Dyfnwal, who lived in the twelfth
century, and was lord of the commote of Menai.^ He
was owner also of the *^ tref " or township whereof Caer-
gybi was a hamlet ; a township which for that reason
was called " Tref Llywarch"; but he is best known as
being progenitor of one of the fifteen noble tribes of
North Wales, — a tribe (" Uwyth") of which the three
progenies or kins (" cenedloedd") named after his sons
were the first divisions. The progenitors of the four
kins or progenies next named were, in like manner,
brothers, and the sons (as we elsewhere learn) of Hwfa
ap Cynddelw of Presaddfed, lord of the commote of
Llifon. Hwfa lived in the twelfth century, and was
progenitor of another of the fifteen noble tribes of
North Wales. Since the progeny of Grono ap lor-
werth was associated with tne progeny of lorwerth ap
* In the township of Porthamel, in the commote of Menai, there
were also " gwelyau" named after the three sons of Llywarch ap
Bran.
182 PORTION ARY CHURCHES
Hwfa in the patronage of one of the Caer^bi canonries,
we may be nearly sure that Grono ap lorwerth, the
Btock-father of this progeny, was one of the sons of
lorwerth ap Hwfa. The one progeny was therefore, we
infer, an offshoot from the other.
Thus all the patrons of the twelve canonries of Caer-
gybi Church are represented in the last resort by Lly-
warch ap Bran and Hwfa ap Cynddelw.
Now there is a tradition that Lly warch ap Bran was
a great benefactor to Holyhead College. There is, in
any case, a shield bearing the arms which have been
attributed to Llywarch, still to be seen on the south
side of the church ; and this latter stands, we know,
within a township of which he was the owner. Hwfa
ap Cynddelw is, m like manner, traditionally connected
with the establishment of the College of Holyhead.
Dr. John Jones, of Galltfaenan, the antiquary, commu-
nicated to the Rev. Prebendary Tanner, before the year
1744, the tradition that this Hwfa was the actual
founder of the College. It is certain that Lly warch ap
Bran and Hwfa ap Cynddelw were the owners of the
greater part of the lands from which the tithes due to
Caergybi Church were derived ; and I think we may
conclude, from what has been said, that they were also
the joint rebuilders of that church, and founders of the
later collegiate body connected with it. This latter
appears to have been constituted so as to consist of a
" Prsepositus", or Provost (so called in the Valor Eccle-
siasticus of Henry VIH, but called "Rector" on the
capitular seal, and " Penclas" in the current Welsh of
the time), and twelve canons; the parochial revenues
being equally divided (see page 193) between the
Provost on the one hand, and the body of canons on
the other, the stipends (described in the Taxatio as
"portions*') of the curates of the dependent chapels of
Bodedeyrn, Bodwrog, and Llandrygarn^ having been
previously deducted.
1 See note 1, p. 184.
OF MEDLEVAL NORTH WALES. 183
In whose hands the patronage of the provostship
(" prsepositura"), so constituted, rested, is not evident ;
perhaps in those of the Prince of Gwjmedd,* whence
it may have fallen to the King of England. But
the patronage of the canonries was equally shared
between Lly warch and Hwfa ; so that, assuming there
to have been twelve canonries from the beginning, each
of the foundera had the disposal of six. The patronage
of these canonries would then be subsequently distri-
buted among the kins or tribes springing severally
from Llywarch and Hwfa, according to the custom of
gavelkind, whereby all the property of the deceased
was equally shared among his sons, — a custom which
in Wales ruled all things.^
What, then, have we actually ascertained ? This,
namely, that all the canonries in Caergybi Church were
connected by patronage, and perhaps in other ways,
with certain "gwelyau' within tne parish, these "gwely-
au^' being occupied by an equal number of "cenedloedd",
or groups of kinsfolk, who were all derived from the
two lords of land who in the twelfth century rebuilt
the church, or founded the college belonging to it.
That these canons were in a real, though limited, sense
tirihal priests we may even venture to say.
^ Among the possessions in Caernarvonshire, belonging of old to
the church of Caergybi, was a weir called " Cored Faelgwn" (Alael-
gwrCs Weir), wherefrom we conclude that Maelgwn, King of Gwyn-
edd, was one of the earlier benefactors of Caergybi. Maelgwn's
successors may, from this fact, have acquired rights of patronage
within the church.
* The operation of the custom of gavelkind extended even to the
pew which a man occupied in the parish church ; thus in an ancient
but undated list of holders of seats in Mold Church, in the possession
of Mr. Davies-Cooke of Gwysannau, occur such entries as the fol-
lowing : ** David ap Joq Blethin and Griffith ap Jon Blethin have
likewise used one seat join tlie, after the tenure of there said landes,
houlden after gavelkinde. Blethn ap Gwin and Res ap Gwin so
hould there landes after the custome of gavelkinde, and so there
seat in the said church jointlye. Res ap Hoell ap Madoc and Lewis
ap Hoell ap Madoc do likewise hould there landes after the like
tenure, and so there seat jointlye in the said church." (^Arch, Camb,,
1878, p. 143.)
184 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
The church of Caergybi, or Holyhead, is the only
decisive example that can be quoted of the arrangement
whereby the " portions", or some of them,^ belongmg
to a church, were connected with the several kins of
free tribesmen within the district served by the same ;
but it is exceedingly likely that this arrangement will
hereafter be found to have existed in connection with
other portionary churches.^ Giraldus Cambrensis says,'
in fact, without any qualification, that the Welsh
churches of his time had almost as many parsons and
comportioners (" persons© et participes'') as there were
kins of chief men, that is, tribes of " uchelw^r' '{cened-
loedd uchelwyr) in the parish (" capitalium virorum in
^ Three of the '^ portions" belonging in medi»yal times to Caer-
gybi Church were the stipends respectively of the priests of the three
chapels (see p. 182) which were formerly dependent npon that
church. These "portions" were, so far as can be ascertained, in no
way connected with any sort of tribal arrangements, and will, in
fact, hereafter be adduced, with other evidence, to sustain the con-
clusion that the greater number of the " portions" belonging to the
churches of ancient North Wales were also themselves non-tribal
in their origin, however some of them may have subsequently come
to be involved in the tribal organisations of the districts served by
those churches.
' A rather curious foot may, for example, here be recorded. The
vicar of Pentrefoelas receives out of the tithes of his parish no more
than a fixed sum of £5 a year. Now, not to go into all the details,
this sum is known to have originally represented a third part of the
tithes and obventions of the progeny of March weithian and Qwyn,
occupying in the commote of Hiraethog a definite tract of land
(doubtless a "gwely" or group of" gwelyau") which is now included
in the parish of Pentrefoelas. The tithes of this tract of land be-
longed to one of the canons of St. Asaph, and a third part of them
was surrendered to the brethren of St. John of Jerusalem on the
condition of their ministering within the church of Dolgynwal (now
Yspytty Ifan) the divine offices and sacraments to the men of the
said progeny dwelling in Hiraethog. Now without reading into it
a meaning which it does not fairly bear, this arrangement strikes
me as being, in some measure, a concession to the principle that
when a group of " gwelyau" was in the possession of a single tribe, a
special provision in respect of the ministration of the divine offices
to that tribe was desirable.
8 In his Topography of Wales (book ii, ch. 6), written about the
end of the twelfth century.
OF MEDIAEVAL NOKTH WALES. 185
parochiH genera"). Giraldus goes on to say that these
comportioners "obtain the churches not by appomtment
but by succession, sons following fathers, possessing
thus and defiling, by hereditary right, the sanctuary
of God, And if perchance the prelate should presume
to appoint or institute any other person, the kin (* gen-
us') would, I doubt not, revenge the injury either
upon the institutor or upon him that was instituted."
Giraldus thus completely confirms the theory as to the
tribal character of the priests of some of the ancient
portionary churches, or of some of the priests of those
churches, which has above> on other grounds, been
announced ; and it seems rather remarkable that the
real significance of the passage which has just been
quoted has never before been pointed out.
Giraldus tells us also, in the passage quoted, that
the parochial ** portions", or such of them as were tribal,
were subject to the law of heredity, " sons following
fathers, possessing thus and defiling, by hereditary
right {hereditate)y the sanctuary of God"; and herein
he suggests to us an explanation of the multiplication of
those portions. For the ancient Welsh were unacquainted
with any law of heredity which deprived one son for
the advantage of another. All the sons that were
equally qualified had an equal share in the inheritance.
If, therefore, a comportioner died leaving three sons
that were priests,^ there is nothing to show that these
three sons might not succeed him in his office, the
" portion" that he enjoyed becoming divided into three
portions, the value of each being now reduced to a third
of the whole of the original " portion". But whether
the " portions" were ever actually multiplied in this
way, the records are too scanty to enable us to say.
To sum up. We may regard it as proved that there
was, in some cases, a connection between certain of the
'* portions" into which the parochial revenues were
^ It mnsfc not be forgolten that the celibacy of priests was an
obh'gation very imperfectly recoguised in ancient Wales.
186 PORTION ARY CHURCHES
divided, and the kins or tribes of " uchelw^r" resident
within the parish ; but it is not clear whether this con-
nection was of such a kind as to warrant us in saying
that a kin was sometimes permitted to appropriate the
tithes and offerings due from it to the maintenance of
a priest (or priests), who should perform within the
parish church the religious services required by its,
members, and act there as its tribal priest. We know,
however, one case in which the several " portions" were
in the patronage of the kins to which they corre-
sponded ; and we gather from Giraldus that the com-
portioners were generally members of the kins to which
the patronage belonged. It seems possible^ moreover,
that the " portions'' tended to multiply as the priests
multiplied that were descended from the original com-
portioners.
We have been able to show how, in the case of Caer-
gybi, the connection between the collegiate " portions'*
and the kins resident within the parish came about ;
and we can easily understand how in other cases, when
a proprietor, owning nearly all the land in a parish, and
paying nearly all the tithes there, rebuilt and endowed
the church, the patronage of the " portions" already
belonging to it should be distributed, according to the
law of gavelkind, among, his sons, and might thus be-
come tribal. We can also understand how, when, say
three kins within a definite district jointly built and
endowed a church, the revenues of the district or parish
thus formed might, /ror/i the beginning ^he divided into
three parts, the portions of an equal number of priests
in the patronage of the three resident kins. But we
know that the portions belonging to the cathedral
churches of St. Asaph and Bangor, which form a group
by themselves, were non-tribal in their origin. We
know also that the " portions" belonging to the colle-
giate church of Clynnog Fawr were non-tribal in their
origin. We know that even the ** portions" belonging
to the church of Caergybi itself, in thejirst stage of its
history, were non-tribal ; and we have good reason for
OF MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 187
believing that the "portions" belonging to a group
which comprises nearly all the other great historic por-
tionary churches of North Wales, and of which Llan-
rhaiadr yn Mochnant may be taken as the type, were
non-tribal in origin.
It is necessary, therefore, that we should now explain
how the " portions" belonging to the three classes of
non-tribal portionary churches just indicated appear to
have arisen. We shall then be able to learn what room
there was in the ecclesiastical arrangements of North
Wales for tribal churches, and to form an idea as to
whether it was possible for some of the portions of the
non-tribal churches to become in later times tribally
connected.
I may as well say at once, that to all the ancient
non-tribal portionary churches, the explanation given
in Archdeacon Thomas' Histoiy of the Diocese of St.
Asaph on the whole applies. They were all mother
churches; churches, that is, to which many of the
neighbouring churches owed their first foundation, or
upon which they were still, as chapels, dependent. If
we wished to give them a name which should express
this feature of them, and which should at the same
time suggest the part they played in the early ecclesi-
astical history of North Wales, we might call them
" missionary churches". This is, indeed, a very good
name to give to the whole group, and one by which we
shall often henceforth designate them.
The first group of non-tribal portionary churches in-
cludes the two cathedrals of St. Asaph and Bangor.
Inasmuch as the cathedral church of Llanelwy (known
to the English as St. Asaph) is, in some respects, typi-
cal of all these non-tribal portionary churches, and since
our knowledge of its history is much more exact than
our knowledge of the history of the rest, it may be
fitting to give first of all a brief account of the deve-
lopment of the capitular body belonging to it.
The religious brotherhood out of which the Chapter
of St. Asaph has since developed, was founded by a
188 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
North British saint known to the Welsh as Cyndeyrn, to
the Scots as Mungo, and to the English as Kentigern.*
Cyndeyrn was succeeded, as Abbot of the community,
by one of his disciples, Asa, whom the English call
Asaph. The members of this community, who because
they lived according to a recognised canon or rule
came to be called " Canonici" or ** Canons", dwelt in
separate huts or cells within the *'llan" or enclosure
which contained their, church. Not merely did they
maintain the services of this church, but they formed
what Archdeacon Thomas has aptly called "a missionary
colony". Certain of them, being priests, were used to
Eay regular visits to various spots in the neighbour-
ood for the purpose of evangelising the people. At
these spots chapels would in time be erected. When
such chapels were built by the lords of commotes, or by
the heads or representatives of tribes, who at the same
time made provision for their proper'maintenance, they
would, we may suspect, be treated as parish churches,
the patronage of which would belong to those who
endowed or erected them. I believe, in fact, that most
of what I may call *' the tribal churches" were origin-
ally chapels that arose in this way. Districts or parishes
{irapoLKuuy neighbourhoods) would be assigned to such
churches, which would then enjoy all the tithes accru-
ing within the same. Chapelries that were very remote
from the mother church might also be erected into
independent parishes, even when no special provision
for the continuance of the services thereof had been
made by those upon the spot ; a permanent charge
upon the revenues of such parishes, as well as the
patronage of their livings, being, however, reserved to
the mother church.
But generally, when the cost of erecting a " mission-
^ It may be well to say that Kentigern, the name by which Cyn-
deyrn is known to the English, is derived from " Kentigernus",
which is but a Latinisation of his Welsh name ; and that ** Mungo*',
the name by which he is known in Scotland, is itself also a Welsh
appellative, — " Mwyngu", mild and beloved.
OP MEDIiEVAL NORTH WALES. 189
chapeF, and the charge of maintaining its services, had,
before the regular and yearly payment of tithes be-
came general, been borne by the religious community
connected with the mother church, such a chapel was
treated merely as a chapel of ease, and the inhabitants
of the townships served by it as parishioners of the
mother church.
It is not certain whether, in the case of Llanelwy,
each of the chapelries was served at Jirst by all the
canons of the college, each taking his turn in supply-^
ing them, or by a single member of that college. In
either case the canons in charge lived at Llanelwy, and
not within their chapelries. When, subsequently, resi-
dent vicars, called at first **capellani", or ** chaplains",
were appointed to the several chapels, a portion (by
custom a third) of the tithes due there were surren-
dered to them ; but the remaining two-thirds, or rec-
torial portion of the tithes were still paid to the church
of Llanelwy, and formed, with the issues of the lands
in the possession of the college,^ the fund out of which
the canons were maintained, and the general charges of
the church and establishment defrayed.
When the abbot, however, had developed into a
bishop exercising jurisdiction throughout the whole
kingdom of Powys, and the brethren had become a
cathedral chapter, the demands upon the collegiate
revenues, due to these changed conditions, appear to
have led to an arrangement whereby half the canons
^ The greater part of these lands belonged probably to the com-
mnnity from the earliest times ; from the times, that is, of Cyndeyrn
and Asa. These earliest possessions consisted, /or the most port, of
three distinct gronps of townships and " maenols*', which formed
afterwards the three manors of Llanelwy, Llangemyw, and Gallt
Melyd. Within these and their appnrtenances the abbot (bishop)
raled like a temporal lord, holding his courts and levying his rents,
dues, and services, and having, like the lord of a commote, his three
chief officers (" ballivi") — his forester, his raglot, and his "segenfab",
if this last be the true name for the officer who corresponded to the
secnlar *' cais", " pencais", or receiver. For an acconnt of these
officers, see my History of Avcient Tenures of Land in the Marches of
North Wales, pp. 10M07.
190 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
(those afterwards called "cursal") were relieved from
the obligation of residence at Llanelwy, and allowed to
accept benefices (the new vicarages, for example,) else-
where, receiving at the same time a diminished share
of the collegiate funds. A larger income was thus ob-
tained for the remaining members of the college, for
the precentor, the sacristan, the chancellor, the trea-
surer, and two others {four others if we include the
dean and archdeacon), and their continued residence
for the present assured.
This larger income was secured to the six (or eight)
canons by assigning to them as stipends the rectorial
tithes of one or more of the dependent chapels, or of a
portion of them. Such stipends were called, in the
ecclesiastical Latin of the time, "prebendae". The
canons resident, therefore, so provided for, came to be
called " prebendaries", and were the predecessors of
those members of the Chapter of St. Asaph that were
afterwards specifically known by that name.
This is the state of things we find established when,
in 1291, the Taxatio of Pope Nicholas was made. The
church of Llanelwy may, therefore, be regarded as pos-
sessing at that time eighteen "portions";^ some repre-
senting the tithes of certain specific chapelries or town-
ships, and others consisting of shares in the remaining
revenues of the Chapter. But these '* portions" were
in no way connected with tribal arrangements such as
we know to have existed in connection with the church
of Holyhead^ and with other churches.^
Clynnog Fawr, founded by St. Beuno, is a type of
^ The " portions** of the dean and archdeaoon, and of the fonr
vicars choral, are here reckoned, but not those of the bishop, and
the vicar of Gwyddelwern.
2 It is curious, nevertheless, that the " portion" of the prebendary
of Llanefydd included a sum payable out of a group of ** gwelyau*'
situate within the parish of Pentrefoelas, which were wholly in the
possession of members of the tribe of Marchweithian and Gwjn.
(See note 2, p. 184.)
^ An account of other an^angements connected with the cathedral
church of St. Asaph will be given in a later note (see note, p. 199).
OP MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 191
the second class of non-tribal portionary churches.
Originally, like Llanelwy and the two Bangors, the seat
of a religious brotherhood, and enjoying, like Llanelwy,
the issues of the township or group of townships in
which it stood, as well as those of townships far re-
moved from it, Clynnog was desolated by war not
many years after its foundation, and was thereafter re-
duc^ to the condition of an ordinary collegiate church.
By this title we find it described in the time of King
Edward (? IV), and again, and finally, at the time of
the Dissolution ; at both which times a " prsepositus"
(that is, a provost or rector) presided over it. The Tax-
alio of Pope Nicholas mentions five " portions" in con-
nection with it, namely, — **The portion of Master Anian
Goch in the church of Clynnog Fawr, 9^ marks ;^ the
portion of William Fychan and obventions, 7 marks ;
the portion of Matthew, the chaplain, in the same, 7^
marks ; the portion of John, the chaplain, in the same,
7 marks ; the portion of David, the chaplain, in the
same, 7 marks." Now, since the last three of these five
are the " portions'' of chaplains ("capellani"), we might
surmise that Clynnog Fawr had three chapelries depend-
ent upon it, and on looking into the supplement to the
Valo7' Ecclesiasticus of Henry VIII we find that there
were, in fact, three such dependent chapelries : — the
joint chapelry of Llanwnda and Llanfaglan, the joint
chapelry of Llangein wen and Llangaffo- in A nglesey, and
the chapelry of Llangelynin in Merionethshire. There
were, therefore, in 1291 only two comportioners directly
connected with the collegiate church itself, of whom
one was the provost f for it is impossible to suppose
* A mark is worth two thirds of a pound, or 13*. 4d.
2 LlangafiTo was really dependent upon Llangeinwen, as Llangein-
wen was dependent apon Clynnog.
5 We read, at the time of the Dissolution, not merely of the pro-
vost of Clynnog, and of the vicar of the same, but also of a priest
there, serving the chantry of St. Giles. It is possible some of the
"portions^of other churches may have been the stipends of chantry-
priests.
192 PORTIONABY CHURCHES
that the three comportioners that were chaplains could,
if they really served their cures^ often be present at
Clynnog to take part in the services of the church
there. Llanwnda, the nearest of the chapels, was about
ten miles distant; Llangelynin, beyond Barmouth,
could hardly be less than fifty miles distant ; while
Llangeinwen, far away in the Isle of Anglesey, was
only approachable by sea. If the three comportioners
were really resident at Clynnog, they must have been
called "chaplains" because the tithes of the three chapel-
ries were appropriated as '* prebends" to their support,
the chapelries being actually served by curates in
charge. I am not sure, indeed, that the six prebend-
aries of Llanelwy are not themselves called ''chaplains"
in a document of the year 1380. It is clear that the
collegiate body of Clynnog Fawr may be taken as a
type of what St. Asaph and Bangor would have been if
they had not developed into cathedral chapters. But
in the fact that it was endowed with the temporal
rents of many townships, and the revenues of remote
chapelries, it presents a complexity of conditions which
at once separates it from the mass of the non-tribal,
portionary churches. To find the simplest type of these
churches we must study the churches of the third
class.
Before, however, we pass to the churches of the
third class it may be well to spend a little while in ex-
amining the history of the church of Caergybi, or Holy-
head, in the time when it was as yet non-tribal; prior,
that is, to its formal and final collegiation. And it will
be the more fitting for us to do this since, in the first
place, we have already said a great deal of the later
collegiate condition of Caergybi Church ; and since,
secondly, that church, while it must be placed among
the non-tribal churches of the second class, presents
features which connect it with the churches of the thii^d
class, which we have next to study.
St. Cybi founded at Holyhead a religious brother-
Hood resembling that which St. Cyndeyrn founded at
OF MEDIEVAL NORTH WALES. 193
Llanelwy, St. Dunawd at Bangor-is-y-Coed, St. Deiniol
at Bangor Fawr, and St. Beuno at Clynnog. This
establishment was the seat of an active reh'gious life,
and the centre from which a great part of the western
side of Anglesey appears to have been evangelised.
We see to this day, among the churches of the neigh-
bourhood, relics of the connection with Caergybi Church
which this state of things involved ; but we will con-
fine our attention to the evidence supplied by authori-
tative ancient documents as to this connection.
Belonging to the church of Caergybi are mentioned,
in 1291, not merely the " praepositura", or provostship,
worth 39 marks a year, and, by implication, the por-
tions of the twelve canons,^ also worth 39 marks, but,
in addition, the following other portions : -"portion ojf
Gervase, the chaplain, in the same church, 1 1 marks ;
portion of Clement, the chaplain, in the same, 6^ marks;
portion of Philip ap Bleddyn in the same, 6^ marks."
Gervase and (element are here distinctly described as
"chaplains" (that is, as priests in charge of chapels),
and Philip ap Bleddyn was also probably a chaplain.
Now we know that the ancient parish of Caergybi
actually included, and still included in the reign of
Edward VI, the chapelries of Bodedeyrn, Bodwrog, and
Llandrygarn (see p. 182), now the heads of distinct
parishes. Though these chapels are somewhat distant
from Caergybi, tney are not so distant as to forbid the
notion of their having been at first served by members
of the community there seated : indeed, it is almost
certain that they were so served.
Nor were these, we imagine, the only churches in the
^ In the Tazatio of Pope Nicholas the portions, of these twelve
canons are not at all mentioned ; bat in a nearly contemporaiy list,
hased upon this Taxatio, giving the value of all the benefices of the
diocese of Bangor, the net revenues of Caergybi are returned as
78 marks, the provostship being 39 marks ; so that it appears as
thoagh the rectorial revenues of the church of Caergybi and of its
chapels were equally divided between the provost on the one hand,
and the body of canons on the other. We know also that each
canonry was of the same value.
5th 8BR., VOL. III. 13
194 PORTTONARY CHURCHES
neighbourhood which owed their origin to the laboura
of the brethren at Caergybi, and which were built upon
the sites of preaching-stations that were at first wholly
supplied by them. But in the case of the preaching-
stations last named, some local lord (the lord of a com-
mote or ** maenol", the proprietor of a township, or the
father of a tribe) having built and endowed a church,
was allowed to nominate a resident priest, to whose
care a district surrounding the church was then, as a
distinct parish, assigned ; and to whom were, at the
same time, surrendered the tithes accruing within the
parish so formed. It was in connection with churches
of this kind, and especially with churches of which the
founders were also the stock-fathers of "llwythau", or
groups of kins, that the peculiar tribal arrangements
already described were liable to arise.
When, however, chapels were erected at Bodedeym,
Bodwrog, and Llandi-ygarn, this was done, we must
suppose, at the sole or main charge of the community
at Caergybi. When, therefore, resident priests or chap-
lains were put in charge of these chapels, and a certain
part of the revenues of their chapelries resigned to
them, the greater part of those revenues continued to
be paid to the mother church, and formed the fund out
of which the brethren (comportioners), resident there,
were maintained.
The non-tribal churches of the first and second classes
resembled each other in these two respects, that the
communities belonging to them are known to have
been monastic in origin, and that these communities
enjoyed very extensive landed possessions ; so that the
heads of them, bishops, abbots, or provosts, were not
merely high spiritual functionaries, but also great tem-
poral lords.
The third class of non-tribal portionary churches com-
prises nearly all the other great historical churches of
North Wales, Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant, Meifod, Cor-
wen, Dinerth (now Llandrillo-yn-Rhos), Aberdaron,
Llandinam, Towj^n, and many others. In the case of
OF MEDIEVAL NORTH WALES. 195
most of the churches of this class we fiad the same phe-
nomenon to which we have called attention in the case
of the churches of the first and second classes, — the de-
pendence, namely, as chapels, upon the chief or mother-
church of some of the other churches of the neighbour-
hood.^ These chapels were, indeed, in charge of chap-
lains,* but the mass of the tithes of the districts served
by these chapels was paid to the mother church, and
the inhabitants of those districts regarded as parish-
ioners thereof The stipends of the chaplains were
reckoned as "portions" connected with the parish.
But when the ** portions" of the chaplains have been
deducted, we find, in most cases, several parochial " por-
tions" still remaining. These are the " portions'' of
priests (residents or sinecurists) connected with the
parish church itself Take, for example, the account of
the church of Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant, given in the
Taxatio of Pope Nicholas. This account is comprised in
the following entries : —
•* Church of Llanrhaiadr with its chapels, namely,
Llangedwyn, Llanarmon (Mynydd Mawr), and Bettws
Cadwaladr (Llangadwaladr): Portion of Grufiydd Foel,
£5 ; portion of Gwrgeneu, £5 ; portion of Tudor ap
Gwrgeneu, £3 ; portion of Llywelyn, 6^. 8J.; portion of
Einion, the priest, 105.; portion of Ewyn (Owen or
Gwyn ?), the priest, 65. ScZ.; portion of John, the priest,
£1; portion of 'Emeystr, 135. 4 J."
Now in this account the names of the ancient chapels
within the parish of Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant (all in
the neighbourhood of Llanrhaiadr, and all now the
heads of distinct parishes) are specifically given. They
* Those portionary churches that had not in 1291 chapels depend-
ent upon them were nevertheless, I believe, essentially mother-
churches ; and some of them may have actually previously had such
chapels, which, however, by this time had become independent, and
the heads of separate parishes.
^ In some cases each chapel had its chaplain ; in others, one chap-
lain had charge of two chapels or even of more ; but 1 think the
chaplains had besides an actual place in the mother-church, and
took part, on certain occasions, in its services.
13«
196 ro RTIONARY CHURCHES
are, we note, three in number. If, then, we assume
that three of the portions above enumerated (those
probably of the three " priests") were the stipends of
chaplains, or priests in charge of these chapels, there
will be five parochial portions remaining.^ Now whom
did the holders of these portions represent ? In en-
deavouring to answer this question we can hardly, I
think, fail, if we take into account the case of other
churches showing the same characteristics, to come to
the conclusion that the comportioners of all the great
missionary churches of North Wales of the third class,
were, speaking broadly, the successors of members of
ancient religious brotherhoods to the same churches
originally belonging. These brotherhoods had many
features in common with those that we know were
seated at Llanelwy, at the two Bangors, at Clvnnog,
and at Caergybi. But, in the first place, their landed
possessions were comparatively small, mere glebe-lands;
and, secondly, they cannot be proved to have had a
monastic origin. The brethren composing them were
not monks, but members of an informal, unchartered
college or society. We cannot better describe them
than by calling them " secular canons", a name (''cano-
nici seculares") actually given to the comportioners
(** porcionarii") of Aberdaron in a document of the thir-
teenth century.
These brotherhoods, colleges, or societies of priests
afforded the means not only of maintaining daily ser-
vice in the churches to which they belonged, but also
of supplying the offices of religion at various spots scat-
tered over a vast district surrounding them.* These
* Three of these portions were not taxed, and mnsf, therefore,
have been the portions of residents ; and the two other portions may
also have belonged to residents, since, being above £4 in value, thfj
would have been taxed in any case. It is worth noting that Tudor,
one of the comportioners, is son of Gwrgeneu, another of the com-
porfioners.
2 All the churches of each of the three classes of non-tribal
churches were thus alike in these respects, that every one of them
was served by a religious community of some kind, and was at the
OF MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 197
districts were much wider than the areas included in
the present parishes of those churches, and in the
chapelries formerly dependent upon them. I sometimes
imagine them to be commensurate with the areas of
the older deaneries ; those, for example, of 1291. But
in the dues and services rendered to some of these por-
tionary churches from other churches, independent in
every respect save this one, we seem to have relics of
a wider supremacy still, and of areas of influence tran-
scending the areas of those older, but not oldest, dean-
eries.* From this point of view the appropriateness of
the title " missionary churches", above applied to the
group of churches under consideration, becomes appa-
rent.
The comportioners connected with the mother- church
had probably at fii-st the parochial revenues equally
divided among them ; but after a while each compor-
tioner appears to have had assigned to him instead the
tithes of certain townships or group of townships within
the parish, the issues of which were approximately
equal. All these townships included, when they were
first set out, much waste land. This waste land must
same time a missionary or motber-charcb. Ifc is just possible that
some of the ch arches of the third class were themselves originalltj
monastic.
^ Archdeacon Thomas has called attention to various relics of the
ancient sapremacj which belonged to some of the churches of this
class : " Thus, in the grant made by Bishop Hugh, in 1239, of tithes
in Llanfair Caer Einion, to the nuns of Llanllugan, a reservation
was made of those which were due to himself as rector of Meifod;
and in an agreement made in 1265 between Adam ap Meuric, rec-
tor of Meifod, and the rector of Llan fib angel (Alberbury), a consi-
derable portion at least of the latter parish, as well as of Guilsfield,
are shown to have been subject to the same mother-church Os-
westry, according to Eyton, was the mother-church of the whole
district extending from the Severn to the Ceiriog. Diuerth (Llan-
drillo yn Rhos) long preserved a proof of its earlier jurisdiction,
inasmuch as its rector and vicar received a portion of the tithes of
the surrounding parishes of Llanelian, Llansantfifraid, Llanrhos,and
Llysfaen ; in each of which it was the custom, until about the end
of last century, for the vicar to preach two or four sermons annu-
ally, instead of which a money acknowledgment has since been sub-
stituted." {HisL of the Diocese of 8t, Asaph, pp. 7 and 8.)
198 PORTION ARY CHURCHES
have been brought into cultivation very unequally in
the case of different townships. The value of the tithes
attached to the several portions came thus, in time, to
vary a great deal. And here we have indicated one of
the many causes which led to the wide difference in
value between the different portions of which we have
evidence.
The assignment, however, to each comportioner of
the tithes of a separate township or group of townships
led probably to another and most important result.
Some of these townships must have been wholly in the
possession of distinct kins of "uchelwyr", so that the
comportioners who received the tithes of those town-
ships must have been wholly supported by the kins
occupying them. Now when we remember how power-
ful these kins were, it strikes us as by no means un-
likely that a kin or tribe was sometimes entitled to
nominate the occupier of the portion which was com-
posed of its own tithes. We cannot prove (the records
are too scanty) that this ever happened ; but if it did
.sometimes happen, we can see one way in which the
slip of tribalism became grafted on the stock of the
great non-tribal churches.
It must, I think, have been in the way just indicated,
and in the other ways indicated before, that the state
of things came about in North Wales which Giraldus
Cambrensis described when he said that in the Welsh
churches of his time there were almost as many pai-sons
and comportioners as there were kins within the parish,
that in the seats of these comportioners sons followed
fathers, and that any attempt made to interfere with
this mode of succession would certainly be resented by
those kins that considered themselves thereby wronged.
We have now to deal with a very interesting divi-
sion of our subject, the sinecunsm of the portionary
churches.
The sinecurism that gradually developed itself in
connection with the cathedral church of St. Asaph dif-
OF MKDIiEVAL NOKTH WALES. 199
fered, by reason of the special circumstances and neces-
sities of the latter, both as to its form and the condi-
tions under which it arose, from the sinecurism of the
mass of the portionary churches of North Wales. We
shall, therefore, deal here exclusively with the sine-
curism of what I have called " the portionary churches
of the third class", and with the sinecurism of the
tribal daughter-churches, for to the sinecurism of both
these groups of churches the same remarks apply ; and
we shall banish to a footnote^ such brief account of the
sinecurism of St. Asaph as it may seem desirable to
give.
^ It has already been shown (see pp. 189, 190) at how early a date
sinecurism became established in connection with half the canonries
(those afterwards called " cursal") of St. Asaph. The circumstances
under which the prebendal canonries also became afterwards, in
effect, sinecures have now to be noticed. Already, in 1291, while
the prebendaries were still resident, we read not merely of the " four
vicars choral** who have remained down to our own times, but also
of six other vicars called " minor vicars'*. Since the number of these
vicars corresponds to the number of the prebendaries, we judge that
they were the representatives of these last, so far at least as the
daily celebration of the Mass of the Virgin, and of the Mass for the
dead and for benefactors was concerned. Ten years later also (in
1296) an ordinance was passed in chapter, that the dean and the
prebendaries of Faenol and Llannefydd should find each a priest, a
good singer, to be present at the time of divine service in the cathe-
dral church ; that the archdeacon should in like manner provide a
layman who was able to sing well, and play upon the organ ; that
the prebendary of Meliden shoald find two singing boys, and the
two prebendaries of Llanfair one singing boy each ; and finally, that
the prebendary of Meifod should pay ten shillings yearly to the
augmentation of the salary of the water-carrier, who shoula be pre-
sent with the other ministers at the daily service. These arrange-
ments seem to show that the daily participation of the prebendaries
in the services of the Cathedral had, even before the end of the thir-
teenth century, already ceased to be obligatory, or that they were
released, at any rate, from a portion of the duties connected with
those services. When, in the year 1402, Owain Glyndwr destroyed
the Cathedral, he burnt at the same time the houses of the [pre-
bendal ?] canons. These houses do not appear to have been ever
rebuilt ; nor were the prebendaries ever after so much as resident,
their duties being henceforth confined (until the scheme of 1843) to
attendance at the meetings of the chapter, and latterly to the
preaching of from three to five sermons yearly within the Cathedral,
and a smaller number within the parish church of St. Asaph.
200 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
If the value of the " portions" belonging to a church
(we need not now trouble oui-selves as to whether those
** portions" were tribally connected or not) was large
enough to enable all the com port ioners to reside, these
latter would constitute an informal collegiate body out
of which a fully organised collegiate body might by
charter or by decree be afterwards created, — a result
which actually happened in the case of Caergybi, and
perhaps in the case of another church.
If, on the other hand, the " portions" into which the
revenues of a parish were distributed, became by re-
peated division, or by the changed habits of the time,
too small to permanently maintain the priests con-
nected with them, these latter might agree among
themselves, and with the bishop, to surrender each a
definite proportion of his income to a vicar who should
represent them all, they themselves at the same time
becoming released from the obligjition of residence/
It cannot be proved that the peculiar form of sine-
curism characterising the churches of the portionary
sinecures had its origin in arrangements such as those
now suggested. But that it had such an origin is at
least a fair inference from the facts known. The
bishops, it is probable, would favour rather than dis-
courage arrangements of this kind. Nor is it ditBcult
to appreciate the considerations which would induce
them to do so. In the first place it appears to have
been conceded that the vicarages in this way formed
Bhould be in the bishops' patronage. In other respects
also the arrangements .in question tended to increase
the bishops' power and authority. The comportioners
were used to think of their offices as personal property
Tihat could be bequeathed to their sons, — a view in
which they were supported, as Giraldus Cambrensis
tells us (see p. 185), by those to whom they ministered.
It is probable also that the obligations to the general
^ Many of the comportioners in those parishes in the case of
which a vicar is mentioned, are distinctly described in The Taxaliu
i>f Pope l^ichohu as elsewhere beneficed (** alibi bencficiuti'*).
OP MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 201
body of the parishioners, of such of the comportioners
as were ^wo^i- tribal priests, were very imperfectly recog-
nised by then). The desirability, therefore, of securing,
instead of this mob of resident comportioners, a single
priest in each parish, who, as vicar, was responsible to
the bishop, and whose relation was the same to all his
parishioners, is obvious. But the necessary reform thus
indicated was not achieved without cost. The old com-
portioners, retaining still about two thirds of their
former incomes, became sinecurists. The cost of the
reform was thus the formal recognition of a system of
ecclesiastical sinecurLsm in North Wales. We shall
presently learn what steps were subsequently taken for
the abatement of this nuisance.
The phenomenon of sinecurism, as manifested in the
"churches of the portionary sinecures", must not be
confounded with the arrangement which to ecclesiastical
historians is well known under the name of ** appropria-
tion". The two phenomena are connected, but distinct.
The practice of sinecurism, and the custom of holding a
vicar who enjoyed only a small proportion of the tithes
of his parish, responsible for all the work of the same,
being established, the bishops of North Wales claimed
the right of ** appropriating" the greater part (two-
thirds, generally) of the revenues of the richer parishes
for the furtherance of such objects as seemed to them
laudable, or of similarly appropriating any sinecure
"portions" that fell to their disposal.^ Very many
" appropriations" of this kind, for the endowment of
^ Some of these portions, in consequence of the uncertainty as to
their patronage (by reason, for example, of the break-up of the kins
with which certain of them had been connected), were continually
falling into the bishops' hands ; and the policy of the bishops, from
the thirteenth century at any rate, seems to have been, in the case
of the smaller parishes, to endow a resident priest with all the paro-
chial revenues, thus making him ** rector"; and in the case of the
larger parishes, to approJ)riate the greater part of the revenues,
leaving the vicarial part of the tithes only to a resident priest or
vicar in the parish church, and to the perpetual curates of the de-
pendent chapels.
202 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
religious houses, and of cathedral dignities, were in the
diocese of St. Asaph raade. At the beginning of the
thirteenth century the rectorial tithes of Wrexham,
Ruabon, Llangollen, Chirk, Llandysilio, and Llansant-
ffraid Glynceiriog were in this way conferred by the
bishop upon the Cistercian priory of Valle Crucis.
It is evident from what has been said, and from
other evidence which will hereafter be adduced, that
the lawfulness of vicariousness — of doing work by
deputy — in all but the highest ecclesiastical offices, was
generally recognised in mediaeval Wales. This practice,
evil as it was, was so closely connected with the habits
of the people and with the vested interests of patrons
and holders of sinecures, that in no other way than by
a revolution could its extirpation be accomplished.
But the recent complete subjection of Wales to the
English power, and the weakening of all forms of
authority that did not rest upon the authority of the
English king, afforded conditions very favourable for
an attempt to correct this evil. It was Archbishop
Peckham of Canterbury who, as Metropolitan, at last
took this matter in hand. The Archbishop having, in
1283, made an official visitation of the Welsh dioceses,
addressed to Bishop Anian of Saint Asaph,^ on the
fourth of the kalends of July (i.e., the 28th of June), a
letter wherein he dealt with the questions of sinecurism
and portionary churches, pointed out some of the evils
connected with them, and urgently demanded the cor-
rection of them. The passages in which these points
are handled are so instructive that they may very
suitably be quoted in full : — " Moreover, the woi-ship
of God, the ecclesiastical offices, the teaching of gram-
mar to the young, and the instruction of laymen in
faith and morals, we believe throughout the greater
part of your diocese to be in great measure wanting.
For the revenues of the churches are divided into por-
tions so small, that neither are the portionaries them-
^ A similar letter was addressed to the Bishop of Bangor.
OF MEDIAEVAL NORTH WALES. 203
selves able to reside, nor can the vicars support the
burden of their parishes. True it is, according to the
saying of the Saviour, that every kingdom that is
divided against itself shall become desolate. Wherever,
therefore, churches are defrauded, by divisions of this
kind, of their due services, and the cure of souls perishes,
or suffers manifest injury, we ordain that those divisions,
so contrary to the gospel and to right, however they
may have been ordained from ancient times, shall be,
as those who possess them resign or die, in the same
churches for ever abolished ; and, wherever
rectors do not continuously and personally reside, the
vicars shall be provided with a suitable portion,
whereby they may be able to sustain the parochial
burdens as well as the grace of hospitality, and to
celebrate the worship of God with a due complement
of ministers (" condigna ministrorum assistentia"). And
whosoever shall presume to hinder you in this matter,
let him know that he thereby subjects himself to the
terrible curse of God (*' formiJandae maledictioni
divinse").
That which Archbishop Peckham effected was thus
the confiscation of whatever heritable property private
persons might be taken to have in the *' portions"
which belonged in his time to the churches of Wales.
These " portions" were, as they fell vacant, to be united,
so that either the rectors might be enabled to reside
within their parishes, or the vicars be endowed with
such stipends as might permit them to bear the charges
that pertained to their functions. The primate plainly
desired to give to the bishop the opportunity of re-
arranging the revenues of the several parishes of his
diocese, the king's consent being supposed, and, gener-
ally, of dealing with them as seemed to him fit. But
for this very reason the custom of ** appropriation" (see p.
201) — ^that form of sinecurism in which the bishops were
themselves interested — was still allowed ; nor were the
portions belonging to the cathedrals of Saint Asaph
and Bangor, and to the other dejinitely constituted
collegiate churches, in any way touched.
204 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
These confiscations, or resumptions, of Archbishop
Peckham, effected by the sheer power of the English
king, together with the earlier voluntary arrangements
before described (see p. 200), necessarily resulted in an
enormous increase of the bishops' patronage. And
herein do we find an explanation of the fact, that nearly
all the ancient benefices of the diocese of Saint Asaph
are in the bishop s gift.^
My acquaintance with the ecclesiastical history of
South Wales is not sufficiently minute to warrant me
in saying whether or not a state of things like that just
described existed also formerly in the dioceses of Llan-
daff and St. David's. But there are certainly no ti-aces
of such a state of things in any of the adjoining dioceses
of England. .There were, indeed, in England plenty of
collegiate churches of the type to which the cathedrals
of Saint Asaph and Bangor ultimately conformed.
And collegiate churches like Ruthin, founded as such
by the liberality of a single person, were much more
common there than here. We find also elsewhere
plenty of examples of ** appropriation" of livings, the
provision for a vicar being reserved, as well as examples
of charges by way of pension or endowment — often
called *' portions" — upon the revenues of certain
parishes. But these are not cases really analogous to
those with which I have essayed in this paper to deal.
There are, however, I believe, examples that appear at
first sight to approach much more closely to our type.
There are, for instance, two English churches that were
served by three rectors, and a third church that was
^ The only parishes in Wales belonging, fifty years ago, to the
diocese of St. Asaph, that were not in the patronage of the bishop,
Were those of Holywell, Hawarden, and Cegidog, or St. George;
but 1 have given reasons, in my History of Ancient Tenures in the
Marches of North Wales, for believing that the church of St. George
was originally the " Boardland Chapel" of the lord of the commote
of Rhos Isdulas. Properly speaking, therefore, Holywell and
Hawarden were the only parochial benefices which were not in the
bishop's gift. The parishes of Hanmer and Bangor-is-y-Coed, though
in Wales, were, until the year 1849, in the diocese of Chester,
OF MEDIEVAL NORTH WALES. 205
served by two. But I have had no opportunity for
studying the details of such arrangements. And
churches so served were at any rate rare, and may pro-
bably be regarded as a special sort of collegiate church.
And they differed from those churches of North Wales
of which we have in this paper treated, in that the
rectors of these last were sometimes the representa-
tives or nominees of tribes or family groups, or the
occupiers of benefices that appear to have been affected
in one way or another by the custom of gavelkind ; or
they were sinecurists, and their places supplied by a
single priest — the vicar.
I should like to say, in conclusion, that the observa-
tions recorded in the foregoing paper are not to be
taken as a complete account of the phenomena to which
they relate, but only as a contribution to a subject
which deserves and requires further investigation.
Alfred Neobard Palmer.
Wrexham.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
Since the foregoing paper was written I have become
aware that Mr. Skene, in the second volume of his
Celtic Scotland^ has discussed at some length the
sinecurism and tribal connections of the ancient Celtic
churches of Ireland and Scotland. Of the special form
of connection which Mr. Skene describes as existing in
Ireland between the great monasteries there and the
tribal institutions of the country, I have in Wales found
hitherto no trace. Of the connection, on the other hand,
which I have described in my paper as existing in
North Wales between the portions of the church and
the kins of the parish, Mr. Skene seems to have come
across no evidence either in Scotland or Ireland. So
far, therefore, as the influence of tribalism upon ecclesi-
astical organisation is concerned, Mr. Skene and I have
been dealing with two distinct groups of facts. But
206 PORTIONARY CHURCHES
when Mr. Skene cornea to speak of the sinecurism of
the ancient Irish and Scotch churches, even though he
deals only with the sinecurism of the higher monastic
offices, he records observations which are by no means
without relation to the sinecurism of the ancient Welsh
churches. It seems well, therefore, that I should give
here an account of the explanation offered by him of
the phenomenon in question, and inquire how far the
explanation is applicable to the forms of sinecurism
which arose in Wales. Mr. Skene refers the sinecurism
which he has described exclusively to lay usurpation,
and shows that the great monastic offices — the abbacies,
for example — ** became hereditary in the persons of
laymen in two ways, either by the usurpation of the
benefice by the lay chieftains from whose family it had
been supplied, or in the family of the abbot by whose
direct descendants the office was filled, and who ceased
after a time to take orders." In proof of the first
of these two forms of usurpations having taken
place in Wales, as well as in Ireland and Scotland,
Mr. Skene cites the passage from The Itinerary of
Giraldus Cambrensis (Book ti, chap. 4), in which that
author describes his visit with Archbishop Baldwin to
the church of Llanbadarn Fawr. " It is to be noted",
says Giraldus, " that this church, like many others in
Ireland and Wales, has a lay abbot. For a custom
has grown up, and an evil custom it is, of powerful
men within a parish, who are merely designated by
the clergy as * oeconomi' [house stewards], or rather as
patrons and defenders of the churches, usurping to
themselves, in process of time and as their greediness
grows, all right, and impudently appropriating all the
lands [of those churches J, leaving only the altars, with
their tithes and obventions, to the clergy, the priests
(' clerici') themselves being their own sons and ac-
quaintances. Such defenders, or rather destroyers of
the churches, have then caused themselves to be called
abbots, and a title and realty to be assigned to them
which are not their due. Destitute, after such fashion,
OF MEDT^.VAL NORTH WALES. 207
we found this church ; a certain old man, full of evil
days, Ethenoweyn, son of Wythfoit [Ednywain ap
Gwaethfoed], acting as abbot, and his sons serving the
altar there."
It appears, from what Giraldus says, that many of
the great monastic churches of Wales, having extensive
landed possessions, were accustomed, for the preserva-
tion of the latter, to seek the protection of powerful
laymen of the district, who thus became their patrons ;
and that these patrons, or their descendants, pften
appropriated to their own use the lands which they
had undertaken to guard, covering sometimes their
usurpation by getting themselves appointed stewards
or even abbots of the monasteries. But this could only
have happened in the case of what I have called " the
non-tribal churches of the second class", and while
those churches were still monasteries and amply
endowed with land ; and could not have happened in
the case of the great mass of the portionary churches
— the churches of the third class — unless these latter
were also themselves originally monastic and in pos-
session of large landed estates. And even when this
kind of usurpation took place, it extended only to the
lands, and not to the ** portions" into which the tithes
and. obventions were divided. So far, therefore, the
conclusions expressed in the foregoing paper are not
affected. But if the suspicion be well-grounded, which
I have sometimes entertained — that the cliurches of
the third class, or many of them, were themselves
monasteries when they were first founded, we can now
understand how they may have lost their lands, and
this is why the particular form of lay usurpation just
described has been here brought forward.
Mr. Skene, however, describes another form of lay
usurpation — a usurpation which issued in a variety of
sinecurism that has a much closer interest for us.
When in Scotland and Ireland, he says, ** the stringency
of the monastic rule was broken in upon, under the
influence of the secular clergy, marriage was gradually
208 PORTION ARY CHCJRCHES
permitted, the tendency towards the secular state being
great in proportion to the enforced strictness of the pre-
vious system. The natural consequence was that a direct
descent from the ecclesiastical persons themselves came
in place of the older system of succession, and the
Church offices became hereditary in their family/' " It
must be borne in mind", continues Mr. Skene, "that pre-
vious to 11 39, though celibacy was enforced upon monks
by their monastic rule, and upon the clergy generally as
a matter of discipline, marriage, when it did take place,
was not unlawful. It was not until the second great
Council of Lateran, held in that year, declared all such
marriages ipso facto null and void, that they became
so ; and the effect of this, where the benefice had be-
come hereditary in a particular family, was, instead of
restoring the former clerical character of its possessors,
to stereotype their condition of laymen, and convert
them into a lay family." Thus the abbots and superiors
no longer took orders, but " became virtually laymen,
providing a Jit person to perform the ecclesiastical fano-
tions, but retaining the name, and all the secular privi-
leges and emoluments of theabbac}'." Mr. Skene only
offers this explanation as applicable to the case of
the sinecure abbacies and other high offices in the
ancient tribal monasteries of Ireland and Scotland ; but
it is impossible to avoid inquiring whether it may not
be in some way applicable to the case of the sinecure
** portions" of the non-tribal churches of Wales that
belonged to the third class. According to this supposi-
tion, the comportioners of the churches, married and
holding their oflSces by hereditary right, would be, by
the sudden enforcement of the law of priestly celibacy,
converted into laymen, and incapacitated for perform-
ing the divine offices. But the comportioners, thus
incapacitated, would merely thereupon surrender the
actual performance of the priestly offices to a vicar,
whose share of the parochial revenue would be deter-
mined by the general custom applicable to such cases,
and would themselves retain, as lay rectors^ the greater
OP MEDIJCVAL NORTH WALES. 209
part of those revenues. Or the single hereditary priest
of a parish would become converted into a lay rector
under the same conditions and with the same result.
I do not believe, however, that this is the true explana-
tion of the origin of the greater part, at any rate,
of the portionary sinecures of mediaeval North Wales,
because it is certain that a very large number (in my
opinion, the majority) of the sinecure comportioners
were not laymen, but priests, that were elsewhere
beneficed (see note, p. 176). But it is an explana-
tion that is not impossibly applicable to some cases of
Welsh sinecurism, and requires therefore to be here
mentioned.
There are two or three other obscure points which
receive some light from Mr. Skene's book, but which
I do not here speak of, because in the foregoing paper
I have barely touched them with my finger-tips. But
whenever a competent scholar shall be induced to
take in hand the task, so urgently needed to be done,
of making a systematic and critical examination of the
early ecclesiastical history of Wales, he will find in
Mr. Skene's book a guide that wUl save him from many
pitfalls, and a lamp that will lighten not a few dark
places. A. N. P.
5th S8B.. VOL. III. 14
210
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENDOME.
{Continued from p, 188.)
The hill of Tr6o forms a sort of promontory, projecting
from the line of table-land bordering the valley of the
Loir on the north. Its southern slope rises abruptly
from the river, upwards of 100 metres. The ancient
town on the summit of the hiU was surrounded by a deep
ditch and thick walls, excepting on the south, where
rocks, washed by the Loir, made it inaccessible. The
fortifications are of very remote antiquity, with evident
traces of Romano-Gallic workmanship, tnough repaired
and changed at divers epochs in the middle ages.
Near the western gate, evidently Romano-Gallic, are
the ruins of a little Church of Saint Michel. Out-
side the north gate rises a conical tomhelle of an
oblong shape, like almost all the monuments of this
kind. It is 84 metres in circumference, and 9 metres
in height. Another and much larger tomhelle rises
on the very crest of the southern flank of the hUl,
within the enceinte^ and near its eastern extremity.
It is not less than 175 m. in circumference, and 14 m.
in height, above the level of the Place de TEglise;
its original height must have been lowered by at
least 4 m., for the cone has evidently been trun-
cated, and its platform is at present 70 m. in circuit.
This place, which was formerly the theatre of the
bloody rites of Druidism, served for public executions
as late as the sixteenth century. The two tomhelles
are exactly in a line from north to south, and tending
from east to west in the greatest diameter of their
elliptical bases. ^ From the summit of the grande
1 In spots where there were two tomhelleSy they were generally
of unequal size, and placed on the line of the meridian ; the largest
towards the south, and the smallest to the north. Such was their
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 211
tomhelle the view extends ten or twelve leagues, com-
prising the elevated ground of Song^, crowned by a
lloman camp, the rocks of Ponc^, and the tomhelle of
La Chartre.
Tr6o was anciently much larger ; its population is
now concentrated in the upper town, in some houses
at the bottom of the hill, and especially in tiers of caves
in the face of the rock. In fact, the interior of this
hill is pierced in all directions by a labyrinth of gal-
leries excavated in the rock, which, ascending, descend-
ing, intercommunicating, and intersecting, may contain
in their entire a length of many Tdlomhtres. The popu-
lar belief extends them even to Bess^, more than a
myriam^tre (upwards of six miles) distant, — an evident
exaggeration ; but it is possible that there may have
been a secret opening, at some distance, into the fields,
as a means of escape in urgent peril.^ The average
width of these galleries is 2 m.; height, 1 m. 30 c; ceil-
ings flat, and cut without art. From distance to dis-
tance we meet with large halls, or places where several
galleries meet, of a circular form : height from 2 m. to
2 m. 70 c. These halls were the places of retreat to
disposition at Amboise : " Daas motas, tinam ab aqnilone, alteram
k meridie erexit." {Lib, de Gompositione Castri Ambaziac.) ** La situ-
ation des Champs de la Motte et la Basse Motte semble indiquer
qn'il en etait la m^me h. Vendome."
* We have here the facsimile, on a larger scale, of the crypt-towns
of the East, snch as those in the Crimea, so fally described by Mr.
Danby Seymonr in his Travels in the Crimea ; and by Pallas, Petra,
with its SepulchreSf etc. If our crypUtowns be CeltiCy which is
scarcely to be donbted after what CaBsar reports, they wonld seem
to be worthy of a close examination by a philo-Druid, for they are
the most important yet discovered, as regards extent. But what
have become of the cemeteries of many generations of such a popu-
lation P All the known dolmens and standing stones in Great Bri-
tain, Ireland, and Armorica, would not cover them. Speaking of
** the Valley of Jehoshaphat", in the Crimea, Mr. Seymour says that
the most ancient sepulchres (for it is still the burial-place of the
Kairite Jews) resemble " long stone coffins*\ (R. P.) There are some
French engravings of this carneillon. The dolmens and standing
stones could only have been for the chiefs. Bat what of the smaller
tombstones at Cai*nac ?
14«
212 CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE.
which converged all the underground ways. Each
has its proper name, known to the inhabitants of the
country. One of these galleries ascends by a gentle slope,
perfectly traceable up to the grande tombdle, under
which it terminates very near the ground, for the roots
of the trees planted on the height penetrate into it ;
another leads to the centre of the hill, where there is
an inexhaustible spring. Thus, here, as at Vend6me
(supra y p. 137), the inhabitants were insured a secret
supply of water at the bottom of the underground
asylum ; this is now obstructed by several fallings-in
of the earth, and water is procured from above. The
echoes in these excavations are very remarkable, and
whole phrases are repeated.
All these galleries^ have their exits in the southern
slope, where they terminate in inhabited caves. These
tiers of caves lodge the greatest part of the inhabitants
of Tr6o ; they communicate with each other by stair-
cases cut in the rock, or by narrow and tortuous paths.
These underground excavations could not have been
stone-quarries, for such a quantity of materials could
not have been used in the neighbourhood ; neither can
such vast works be attributed to the middle ages, when
Tr6o was of secondary importance; nor to the Romans,
who had no such construction. We must, then, refer
them to the remote age when Tr6o was the chief place
oi?i Pagxis, defending by its strong position the frontier
of the Cenomani. During the Prussian invasion, in
1815, the inhabitants of Tr6o hid within their under-
ground galleries their wives and their movable wealth,
1 In low and level conn tries, withont stono, these galleries are
worked in the soil. The subterranean works of La Celette, in the
Departement du Cher, are cut in a bed of marl, and are without
any traces of masonry ; only partially cleared out, so that their ex-
tent is not known. It appears that an ancient cemetery covers the
" souterrain", as there are traces of ancient sepulchres dug in the
marl at a depth of 40 or 50 c. The entrance and two air-sha(ta
opened into it. La Celette is about 15 ft. below the surface. The
subteiTanean works in Kent are mvA:h deeper, according to The
West Kent Almanae^ the only authority come-at-able since Camden.
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 213
and the foreign soldiers who occupied the village did
not dare to penetrate them.
Baraillon, in his Recherches sur les Monunwnts Cel-
tiques (pp. 308, 309), describes a locality so like Troo
as to explain and confirm the above observations.
This also is an isolated hill in the Limousin, command-
ing a vast extent of country, defended anciently by a
triple enceinte, and covered with Gallic and lioman
remains. The interior of this mountain is hollowed
and mined in every direction, and on striking the
ground a cavernous sound is emitted, everywhere
indicating excavations underground. This place, an-
ciently a considerable town^ is now a poor hamlet,
bearing the name of TouU, signifying, in the patois of
the country, a hole, a deep cavity. It is in Limousin.
The ancient charters of the middle ages designate
Tr6o by the name of ** Trauga" or " Trugus", which in
Low Latinity have the same signification. The pre-
sent name is simply our word trou, in allusion to the
caves.
After Tr6o, the most important Celtic locality is the
hill of Lavardin, which seems to have been the site of
a rich college of Druids.
On the road from Montoir to Lavardin, on the right
bank of the Loir, is the valley of St. Eloi, or the
Recuisages, whose rivulet falls in cascades, and whose
banks are bordered by rocks, which throughout, as
far as Lavardin, are more or less excavated, and pre-
sent grots strikingly like those of Le Breuil, near
Thord. This range, very declivitous, covered with
brambles and " buskets", is of very difficult access ;
thus these curious grots are scarcely known to the
inhabitants of the country, and to this they owe their
remaining almost intact. They all open on the same
line, at about two-thirds of the total height of the hill.
The first we met with has been partly destroyed by
a quarry. In the upper part is a sinuous passage
which leads to an inner recess or dungeon, 5 m. long
by 1 m. 70 c, wide ; in the floor is an oblong hole, 1 m.
214 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE.
85 c. long, by 75 c. broad, and 20 c. deep. We have
already expressed, in the description of the rocks of
Le Breuil, our conjectures on the purpose of these
holes {supray p. 131), which we find in every cave of
the same description. Grooves cut in the rock indicate
that this dungeon was closed ; it communicates with a
little hall lighted by a rather large arched opening. In
the lower story, a sort of pit or oubliette ^ and a little
polygonal dungeon, about 2 m. in circumference. The
door is very low, and the inner vaulting scarcely 1 m.
60 c. high.
The next cave, which we shall call rErmitage, is
complete. After ascending some broken steps we en-
ter by a broad arch into a large hall, about 5 m. square,
height, 3 m. Near the archway is a fireplace like that
at Le Breuil, with an outlet for the smoke, and on the
other side of the hearth an arched window. At the
bottom of the hall, on the right, is a sort of passage,
2 m. long, and lighted by some irregular openings. On
the left opens an archway, 2 m. 30 c. wide, where a
groove and some deep jagging in the rock indicate the
place of a door with iron hinges. It is the entrance to
a dungeon, 4 m. 50 c. broad by 3 m. deep, where we see
a stone altar. This dungeon communicates by a
narrower opening with a small room, almost circular,
and 7 m. in circumference. A stone bench runs round
it, and through a^* fen^tre qui s'arrondit gracieuseraent
en centre" there is a fine view of the valley of the Loir.
This cave combines all the characteristics of a Dniidical
sanctuary, inhabited, at a later period, by a Christian
hermit.
The third, and smaller cave, is composed of a hall
lighted by an outer archway, and having at the bottom
a dungeon or recess, once hermetically closed, as ap-
pears from the groove cut in the rock at its entrance ;
the dungeon, with its groove, is an indispensable acces-
sory which is not wanting in any one of these caves.
In the hall we find a circular hole, 1 m. 30 c. deep, and
70 c. in diameter ; a channel, hollowed in the soil,
CELTIC REMA.INS IN VENd6mE. 21 5
admitted a stone cover 1 m. in breaxith. We have
already expressed the opinion that these holes, in the
form of a bucket, were destined to receive the blood of
the victims. Let us add that in the walls of all these
caves have been placed niches^ which retain the notches
cvi to support shelves^ as in a clothes-press. In short, we
perceive a great number of holes, which appear to have
been hollowed out in order to fix ironwork ; they are,
especially, very numerous in the inner dungeons or
recesses.
This group is separated by about 200 paces from
another which occupies the centre of the range of
hills, and which presents to the explorer, by their
grandeur and mysterious combinations, a new subject
of admiration and surprise. First, a majestic arch
shows itself half concealed by bushes and briars. It
leads into a large hall, 9 m. long, 6 m. deep, and 3 m.
high. On the right is a prison-chamber, 5 m. by 4 m.,
where is a hole in the jloor similar to that in the third
cave. On the left opens a wide passage, 4 m. wide
and 6 m. long, lighted by three archways, giving it the
aspect of an elegant portico. This passage rises gradu-
ally with a curve to the mouth of a sort of soupirail,
through which the body of a man might pass, and
which winding obliquely into the interior of the rock,
attains the upper story, where it communicates with a
little grot by which we may come out on the top of the
hill.
After this cave, which exceeds in size and pic-
turesque beauty all the others, we find a series of
caves resembling square cellules. The last alone is
somewhat larger, a hall 6 m. square, deeply sunk in
the rock ; it receives light and air only by means of two
passages, 4 m. in length. At the bottom is a reduit
in which we recognise the remains of a staircase which
must have led to the upper story. But what is most
curious in it is two soupiraux, pierced horizontally
in the thickness of the rock which separates the two
passages. These holes, extending 2 m. to 3 m., are
216 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE.
elliptical, 50 c. high and 30 c. wide. It must have been
very diflScult to perforate so regularly these long holes
through a very hard rock. Was their object to venti-
late the interior of the cave ? Or ought we not rather
to regard them as gigantic speaking-trumpets, by which
the arch-Druid, of whom this hall would seem to have
been the residence, communicated his oracles to the
exterior ?
Midway below these caves is a tiny spring, known
as the fountain of Audude. Though not under the
protection of any saint, a belief is still entertained in
the virtue of its waters for the cure of certain diseases.
Nothing, therefore, is wanting here to complete the e^i-
semble of a Druidical sanctuary : on one side, the grand
cave serving as temple, with its rude porch, its secret
recesses, its bloody hole ; on the other the Druidical
cells and the arch-Druid's cave, whose mysterious
arrangements were calculated to inspire terror and re-
spect. In the centre the sacred spring, whose bene-
ficent virtues still retain faithful believers, whilst the
temple and its gloomy rites have been for twenty cen-
turies abandoned and execrated.
There is still a long distance to be traversed ere
arriving at the last cave, the only one known and com-
monly visited, because it is more easy of access than
the others, and because it borders on the village of
Lavarelois, or at least that part of it which is composed
of dwellings hollowed in the hill. It is called the
" Grotte des Vierges", of the origin of which name
there are different versions in the traditions of the
country. Some pretend that it served as an asylum
for the maids of honour of the queen of Charles VII
during the siege of Mans. At this conjecture the
author himself smiles.
This name of Grotte des Vierges, like those of the
Grotte des F^es ou des Sybils, is frequently applied to
ancient GraUic localities which appear to have served as
residences for the priestesses of the Druidical religion.
Not less venerated than the Druids themselves, these
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 217
priestesses or fees formed, like them, a sort of monastic
communities, called by the Romans "Colleges", and
bound themselves by vows of chastity, which could not
be broken but under certain circumstances regulated
by the religious law. Clad in a black robe and with
dishevelled hair, they joined in the lugubrious ceremo-
nies of human sacrifices, and themselves performed the
barbarous rites.
This " Grotte des Vierges" has unquestionably been
the abode of a college of Druidesses. It consists of two
stories. The upper story is reached by a staircase of
fourteen steps, round, vaulted, and cut in the rock.
The steps are 1 m. 20 c. wide, and 20 c. high. The stair
leads to a first hall, 6 m. by 4 m., lighted by a circular
arched window, near which is a hearth, and in the
floor is a hole similar to those whose dimensions we
have given before. Thence we ascend again two steps,
and enter by an archway, 60 c. wide, into a large hall,
not less than 10 m. long by 6 m. deep. This hall is
lighted by two openings, one merely a narrow soupiraily
the other 1 m. 50 c. wide. As usual, a fireplace is
set between the two openings. At the bottom of the
hall is a gloomy chamber, 5 m. by 3 m., in which an
altar has been erected ; deep grooves at the entrance
of this chamber and of the hall establish the existence
of ancient fastenings. This dark chamber is separated
from the rest of the cave by an excavation 2 m. wide,
in which has been cut a staircase of fourteen steps,
terminating in the lower story. This chasm was
crossed by a wooden bridge, whose planks rested on
two scotches hollowed in the rock, and still visible. In
short, at the end of the great hall, opposite the entrance,
opens a winding passage of 7 m. in length by 3 m. in
width, where the Ught penetrates freely through two
arches in form of a portico. The lower story appears
to have been used solely as a habitation ; it is com-
posed of a vast hall, 7 m. by 8 m., which receives light
by a single opening, and of a smaller room en retour.
It is to be observed that this story was only reached
218 CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE.
by the staircase communicating with the upper hall.
There was, then, a system of isolation and cloister-life
perfectly in accordance with the idea which may be
formed of an asylum inhabited by holy virgins.
If we reflect on the mysterious singularities of these
sombre dwelling-places, we cannot but be struck by
the similarity of their interior arrangements both
at Lavardin and at Le Breuil. We everywhere find
the Great Hall and its fireplace between two outer
openings, the circular hole, the dark prison-chamber
with traces of groovings and hinges to support massive
doors, and the well- lighted passage seeming to lead to
some secret outlet. The rigorous laws of a hieratic
destination can alone explain the uniformity of size and
measures, and the constant recurrence of this plan,
which could at no time be appropriated to the ordi-
nary usages of life. A single cave of this kind might
leave doubts, but in contemplating this ensenwle,
hitherto unknown, of monuments perfectly preserved,
it seems impossible to avoid the conviction, at which
we have ourselves arrived, that we here see traces of
the Druids, their bloody sacrifices, and their gloomy
rites. These are evidently the dwellings of the fanatic
priests and inspired women depicted by Tacitus and
Pliny, and of wnom the fairy tales have preserved, in
the simplicity of popular impressions, vague and fright-
ful reminiscences.
Let us observe also that the dimensions of the grand
dolmens are in general 5 m. by 3 m., and that this is
also the measure of the interior retreats or prison-
chambers of the Druidical caves. These caves were,
then, the primitive temples of the Druid religion.
In the plains an attempt was made to reproduce, at
least their image,- by constructing, with enormous
stones, dolmens and cromlechs, which were but the
representation of the great sanctuaries of the hills.
Many of the caves are in the way of being worked
out as quarries.
At about three kilometres beyond Lavardin, in
CELTIC REMAINS IN VEND6mE. 219
ascending the right bank of the Loir, is the singular
village oi Les Roches. A wall of rock rises perpendicu-
larly on the bank of the river, and closes the fine plain
of ilontoir by a defile a few paces wide. There, as at
Tr6o, Chartres, etc., almost the entire population has
hollowed out dwellings in the sides of the rock,
which is honeycombed throughout, high and low. Fre-
quently the roof of these human burrows falls in ;
but no one is alarmed. Should a mass of rock slip, on
the slope of the hill, as soon as it appears to be settled
on its base, it is hollowed out and occupied as a house.
In the middle ages the space between the hill and
the river was closed at each end by a ditch and a wall
flanked with towers. These ramparts exist still at the
east, but at the west the remains are scanty. An
ancient bridge, straitened by the massive walls of an
old fortified gateway, carries across the river the road
from Vend6me to Montoir. Outside the fortifications,
towards the east, is a very picturesque clump of rocks
and ruins, called Les ChS^teaux de Saint-Grervais. Here,
according to all appearances, existed the grottoes of
the Druids, apart from the dwellings of the people.
Between Les Roches and Le Breuil, in the plain
watered by the brook Lunay, have been found stone
coffins in form of troughs, and bronze ornaments of
antique workmanship.
La Chartre is a little town on the Loir, between
that river and a lofty hill. On the top of this Jiill
are two tomhelles of unequal size, corresponding with
those of Troo, and to which we cannot assign an origin
less ancient ; although some perceive in them fortifica-
tions of the middle ages, of which they possess neither
the form nor the aspect. La Chartre seems to have
been a principal oppidum. The river, as at Vend6me,
runs between numerous islets, united by very ancient
bridges.
The author speaks of Celtic medals found at Poncd,
and of which he possesses one in silver. It is of very
small size, and very barbarous execution. On the
220 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENDOME.
obverse is a human head, and on the reverse a horse
with the bill of a bird. It possesses all the character-
istics of Armorican coinage. Others of the same type,
but a little better execution, have been dug up not far
from here, at the Chateau of La Flotte. M. Cottereau,
at Venddme, possesses some gold coins, found in the
neighbourhood of Ternay , bearing on the right the head
of Apollo, and on the reverse a chariot drawn by a
horse with a human head, trampling a man under his
feet, — a type which belongs especially to Armorica,
Extracts frovi a Supplementary Notice.
The Dolmen of Le Breiiil is very remarkable on account of its
position in a soit of peninsula on the left bank of the Loir, in
the midst of marshy meadows. The enormous stones which
compose it must have been brought from a great distance, and
with infinite trouble, over a spongy soil. It is a horizanial dol-
men of large dimensions. The table-stone was 5 m. long, 3 m,
broad, and 70 a thick. It rested on five supporters. It is in
part broken, and the fragments are scattered around. On the
most considerable appears the basin destined to receive the blood.
Generally, in the fractured dolmens, this part seems to have
been broken the first. This dolmen appears to have been sur-
rounded by a cromlech, or circle of upright stones, some of which
are still standing.
The Dolmen of Langot is on the right bank of, and not far
from, the Loire, near the road from St. Hilaire-la-Gravelle. It is
inclined, and small, but in perfect preservation. The platform,
on four supports, is 3 m. long by 2 m. broad ; inclination very
great ; and the groove forms a sort of cascade from the upper
end down to the basin. This monionent is perfectly visible from
the road to Tours.
In the account of the Druidical caves, p. 39 of theHisioire ("Les
ChS.teaux de St. Gervais"), it is said that on a more attentive
investigation of the caves inhabited by the peasants, arrange-
ments were discoverable perfectly resembling those of the caves
at Lavardin and Le BreuiL On the crest of the hill is a tomr-
belle which corresponds to those at Troo and Lavardin. There is
also a tombelle at Lavardin, forgotten in describing the curious
rocks there. It rises on the crest of the hill nearly over the
Grotte des Vierges, and on the outer bank of tlie ditch of the
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 221
Ch&teaux. One of the caves of St. Gervais has been converted
into a chapel of the middle ages. Its primitive arrangement was
like that of the cave called by the writer " La Caverne du Grand
Pretre", at Lavardin ; but a falling-in has destroyed the interior.
Sometimes it is called " Le Boisdan", (" Boscus Damnatus"), re-
minding us of the infernal worship there.
Not far from these, in the commune of Thor^, opposite the
"Grots" of Breuil, in* a place called "Les Chateaux'*, where are
some old ruins of unknown origin, said to be haunted by fairies,
some diggings made in the rock, in order to clear the entrance
into a cave, brought to light three pits {puits) in the form of
reversed cones or funnels. Their sides, cut in the rock, are per-
fectly smooth. Their diameter is 2 m. at the base, and 1 m. at
the upper opening. On clearing them out, bones and ashes
were discovered. The author noticed a pit of this kind in the
caves of St. Gervais ; and the circular holes found in those of
Lavardin and Le Breuil would, perhaps, offer the same form in
their interior were they cleared out These oubliettes may have
been destined to confine the victims devoted to human sacri-
fices, or to receive their remains. A considerable number of
similar pits has been recently discovered in the rocks of the
Department of La Dordogne. At the bottom were bones, and
in the sides stone rings to attach the captives.^
The Loire bathes the foot of the rising ground on which was
erected the fortress of Vindocinum (VendSme) ; but at this spot
it is divided into numerous branches, forming an archipelago of
small islands, low and marshy. On the most elevated of these
islets, and the largest, in the centre of the marsh, were constructed
the houses of wood and earth which formed the Gallic hamlet,
wherein dwelt the clients and the serfs, whilst the nobles and
warriors inhabited the citadel. It is now occupied by the quar-
ter extending from the Church of St Martin to that of St Pierre
^ In the caves of the EZanr&n a particular chamber was appropri-
ated to the storing away of com and food generally. Thoy appear
to have contained ^^chambera for religious meetings**. There are
strikiDg analogies between these caves in the East, and those in the
West. The question as to Draidical temples and places of religious
worship is most important. It is scarcely presamable that the Celts
were thus shut up without provision for religious worship. What
are the grounds for believing that some of these chambers and
caves were appropriated to that purpose ? We shonld not forget,
in all these inquiries, that the Celts of central Gaul appear to have
been much more advanced in civilisation than their Armorican and
Belgian confreres at the time of the Roman invasion. (See Bulletin
de la Societe Geographique de la France j January 1856.)
222 CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE.
la Motte, and is the only part of the town above water in the
highest inundations.
Placed between the two great capitals of the Camutes and
the Turones, Vendfime must then have been of some importance
as a place of passage. The different arms of the river were
crossed from islet to islet by fords or bridges, called " Les Fonts
Chartrains" (" Pontes Camotenses"). Nothing is more common
in . our central provinces, on ancient Boman or Gkdlic roads,
than to meet with long and narrow causeways, intersected by a
series of little bridges, over marshes or rivers, at places where
islands intersecting their course rendered the passage more easy.
The origin of these constructions is generally unknown, and
if we follow, traditionally, the traces of their existence, we shall
arrive at the Celtic era. These bridges were kept up at the cost
of the cities, who received tolls there, — an important branch of
the public revenues. Caesar (De Bello Gallico, lib. i) attributes
the credit which Dumnorix enjoyed in the city of Autun to the
riches which he had acquired by obtaining a general concession
to farm all the tolls. The city of the Camutes maintained simi-
lar bridges at all the extremities of its territories on the great
roads of communication. A " Pont Chartrain" is found at Ven-
dome ; another beyond Orltens, on the road to Sens. At Blois
is a causeway, extending more than a kilometre in length, across
the marsh formed by the river Cosson, on the left bank of the
Loire. On the side of Dreux, on the road to Paris, the village
of Pontchartrain indicates by its name the existence of a simi-
lar way, always near the limits of the city territory.
Besides these national means of communication there existed
secondary ones, maintained by each locality, for commercial in-
tercourse. The bridges were placed under the special pro-
tection of the god presiding over commerce. These were called
by the Romans " Pontes Mercurii"; and after the introduction
of Christianity adopted generally the name of " Bridges of St
Michael" ("Ponts St. Michel"), for the resemblance of their
effigies caused the name of the Archangel to be substituted for
that of the winged messenger of Jupiter.^ At Blois a long
causeway, in ruins, known by the name of " Pont St Michel",
traverses the marsh on the left bank of the Loire, parallel with
the Ponts Chartrains. Paris had also its Pont St. Michel, beside
the principal communication (the great and the little bridge),
between the two banks of the Seine. At Vendome the line of
^ One of the most remarkable remnants of these ancient conse-
crations to Mercury subsists in the name of the village of " Mont
St. Michel, Mont Mercnre", in the Department of La Vendee. (La
Saussaye, OHgines da Blois.)
CELTIC REMAINS IN VENd6mE. 223
the Fonts St. Michel commenced, like those of the Fonts Char-
trains, at the issue of the gorge of the Faubourg St. Lubin, tend-
ing towards the north-west ; passing over an artificial mound
of earth constructed in order to raise the ground whereon was
subsequently erected the Church of St. Fierre la Motte, which
derived its name from it.
Speaking of the commune of Naveil (from the Latin navis,
because the Loire was here crossed by means of a ferry, where
there is now a bridge leading to the church), it is said that dur-
ing the Gallic era a numerous population must have inhabited
the rocks of Montrieux. Opposite these rocks, in the plain
where is now the Church of Naveil, were found some Gallic
sepulchres of stone, in the form of troughs, with coins and
ornaments in bronze.^
Extract from Yellow Note-Book, p. 23/' Anjou et ses Monument^*,
by MM, Godard Faultier and P. Hawke. Angers, 1839.
The tomhelles in Anjou vary from 15 to 24 m. in height
There are two at Dou^, two at Viliers, two in the neighbourhood
of Montreuil-Bellay. It is remarkable that they are near small
towns. In the arrondissement of Beaupreau, Monfaucon for-
merly possessed three, forming a triangle ; two are destroyed.
There is a well authenticated historical proof that two tom-
helles at least, in Anjou, were set up as " heaps of witness" to
mark territorial boundaries, but not prior to the Eoman con-
quest.
1 " In the prolongation of this range towards the east, at the
" Tertre de Huchepie", the construction of some earthworks laid
open a Gallic sepulchral cave filled in by a slip. In it were found
some bones, a sabre with a very wide blade, some Celtic stone axes,
and in a niche hollowed out in the rock, a lamp of coarse pottery, but
of an elegant and not common form.
224
ROMAN COINS FOUND IN MONMOUTH-
SHIRE.
I. CAERLEON AND CAERWENT.
The coins of the Romans which have been found in the
neighbourhood of Caerleon and Caerwent extend over
almost the whole period of their occupation of this
island, and tend to prove that the Second Legion was
not withdrawn from this district till the final departure
of the conquerors took place. It is a remarkable fact
that no coins of the Emperor Diocletian occur in this
locality, and the only one which bears his name is de-
scribed by Mr. Lee as '' evidently a forgery of Carau-
sius, for it not only bears the titles avggg, acknow-
ledging him as joint Emperor, but it is evidently of his
peculiar fabric." On the other hand, considerable num-
bers of the coins of Carausius have been discovered ;
and the same fact holds good in the neighbouring dis-
trict of the Forest of Dean, where large numbers of
Roman coins have been found. Probably the usurper
had his headquarters at Caerleon, and knew that the
Second Legion was to be relied upon for his protection,
though it is somewhat difficult to account for the ab-
sence of any of the coins of Diocletian, which must
have been in circulation before Carausius commenced
his rebellion ; and it would appear probable that he
actually recalled the money issued from the Roman
mint, lest its influence should weaken his self-assumed
authority.
The following list is compiled almost entirely from
Mr. Lee s catalogue in Isca Silurum ; for though large
numbers of coins have been found in this district dur-
ing past years, no other record of them has been kept,
and they are now dispersed far and near. A few
years ago the land within the walls of Caerwent was a
BOMAN COINS FOUND IN MONMOUTHSHIRE.
225
very storehouse of such relics, and few cottages were
without some specimens which had been unearthed by
their owners. Most of these were third brass coins of
the later Emperors, particularly those of the Constan-
tino series; and amongst those in my possession are
some good specimens of most of the Emperors from
Constantius to Arcadius. Mr. Till of Ty Mawr Farm,
Caerwent, has a large number of silver and brass coins
which have been found on hLs own and neighbouring
farms, and amongst them there are coins of most of the
Emperors in the following list, and some good speci-
mens of Carausius and AUectus, one of the former being
a new type.
M. Bagnall-Oakeley.
Roman Coins found at Caerwent, and described in ^^Isca Silurum":
Brass
saver. I.
iL ni.
Tot
Hadrianns
.
1
Antoninus Pius .
.
1
Sept. Severus
.
1
M. Aarelins Antoninus
(Caracalla).
This is a
large silver coin
, ,
1
M. Aurelius Antoninus (Elagabalus)
1
Julia Massa
.
1
Julia Mammeea. Plated
1
Alex. Severus
2
Oordianus
3
Philippus Sen.
4
Philippus Jun. .
1
Marcia Otacillia
2
Trajanus Decius
1
Herennia Etrucilla
3
Trebonius Gallus
1
Volusianus
1
JSmillianus
1
Valerianus Sen.
! '. 3
3
Valerianus Jun.
. 2
2
Gallienus
. 2
3
5
Salonina
. 3
3
Postumus
1
1
Tetricus Sen.
1
1
Claudius Got.
2
2
Carausius
4
4
Allectns .
3
3
5th 8EB.. VOL. Ilf .
15
226
ROMAN COINS
Constantinns
CrispDS .
Constans
Constantinns Jnn.
Mngnentius
Julian us
Helena .
Valentinianus Sen.
Gold. SUver. I.
BrMB
II,
III. Toi.
1 1
Three are plated coins
Two are plated
Coins found at Caerleon.
Claudius
Nero
Vespasianufl.
Titus ....
Domitianus
Nerva. Plated
Trajan us
Hadrianus. The 1st brass is probably
medallion .
Antoninus Pius .
Faustina Sen.
M. Aurelius
Faustina Jun.
Lucius Verus
Lucilla ....
Commodus
Sept. Severus.
Julia
M. Aurelius (Caracalla).
Macrinus
Julia Soeemias
Alex. Severus.
Gordianus
Philippus Sen.
Philipptis Jun.
Gallienus
Salonina. One base metal
Postumus. Base metal
Victorinus
Tetricus Sen.
Tetricus Jun. .
Claudius Got.
Quentillus. Base metal
Probus .
Dioclesianus. Evidently a forgery of
Carausius
Maximianus
Carausius. One fine silver, one plated
One base silver
One silver of large size
Base metal
9
1
1
1
4
2
5
1
1
1
2
10
3
8
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
4
6
2
8
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
3
2
10
1
3
4
1
3
2
8
3
8
1
1
9 18
3
4
3
15
11
18
1
4
6
2
2
4
11
4
8
1
1
5
3
2
1
1
3
4
2
8
3
8
1
1
1 1
2 2
15 17
FOUND IN MONMOUTHSHIRE.
227
Allectns
Brasg
Gold. Silver. I. II. in. Tot.
5 5
G. Maxiraianus. Both plated
2 3 5
Licinins
4 4
Constantius
1 1
Constantinas
33 33
Crispns
Helena .
1 1
1 1
Fansta .
1 1
Constantinus Jan.
4 4
Gonstaos
11 11
Constantias
9 9
Magnentiua
Decentius
5 9 14
2 13
Valentinianas Sen.
1 1
Valens .
6 6
Gratianns
1 1 2
Arcadins
1 1
Constantinapolis
Urbs Roma
7 7
13 13
A larger number of Roman coins were found in a
quarry called " Wentwood Mill", in 1860; but, unfor-
tunately, the pot which contained them was filled with
water, and the coins were in a very bad condition.
They are all of the metal called billon, and were coined
to represent silver denarii, though some of them are of
the lowest standard, and might almost be mistaken for
third brass. The whole hoard contained about 1,300
or 1,400 coins, and of these 53 have been described by
Mr. Lee. They are of the following reigns : — Gallie-
nus, Claudius Gothicus, Postumus, Victorinus, the
Tetrici, Tacitus, and Carausius. Of this usurper there
are 4 coins.
15"
228
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES H.
[Continued from p, 144.)
Carpendar, William, elk., M.A., rector of Llaagellor, co. Carmar-
then. Westm., 27 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 189.)
Carpenter, Henry, elk., Canon or Prebendary of Windsor, vice
George Hall, S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of Chester.
Westm., 14 May. (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 28 ; p. 26,
No. 3.)
„ William, elk., rector of Stainton-super-Wye, Hereford
dioc., vice Roger Braiton, deceased. Westm., 7 Jan. (12
Chas. II, p. 1, No. 19.)
Carter, John, S.T.B., Archdeacon of Chester. Westm , 19 Oct. (12
Chas. II, p. 2, No. 94 ; p. 4, No. 43.)
Chamberlaine, Edward, elk., rector of Machenlith, alias Maghnntley,
CO. Montgomery. Westm., 12 Oct. (12 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 111.)
Clarke, James, elk., B.A., rector of Fittes, co. Salop. Westm., 10
May. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 234)
Cleaveland, William, rector of Oldbury, co. Salop, Hereford dioc.,
vice Jeffcott, resigned. Westm., 10 Aug. (13
Chas. II, p. 47, No. 167.)
Clntterbuck (Clutterbucke), elk., rector of Llandrillo in Idermon,
CO. Merioneth, vice John Taylor ceded. Westm., 11
Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 122.)
Coke, William, elk., M.A., presentation to the first part or portion
of the prebend or rectory of Bromyard, co. and dioc. of
Hereford, vice John Cooke, elk., M.A., resigned. Westm.,
15 March. (16 Chas. II, p. 19, No. f )
Collins, John, elk., rector of Killyman Llwyd, co. Carmarthen.
Westm., 11 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 292.)
Comynes (Comyns), Christopher, elk., M.A., vicar of Presse, Lichfield
and Coventry dioc, vice James Fleetwood, S.T.P., re-
signed. Wes'tm., 24 Oct. (12 Chas. IT, p. 1, No. 97.)
Couant, John, S.T.P., rector of Exeter College, Oxford ; rector of
Abergelly, co. Denbigh. Westm., 4 Ang. (12 Chas. II,
p. 3, No. 107.)
Cooke, Thomas, elk.. Archdeacon of Salop. Westm., 7 Aug. (12
Chas. II, p. 3, No. 103 ; p. 19, No. 62.)
Cragg (Cragge), John, elk., M.A., rector of Wolves Newton, co.
Monmouth. Westm., 29 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 49.)
Creed (Creede), William, elk., S.T.B., Prebendary or Canon of Llan-
nemch, with the corrody of Llangadoek, in the collegiate
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMEKTS. 229
chnrch of Brecon, Sfc. David's dice. Westm., 20 July.
(12 Charles If, p. 19, Nos. 131a, 132.)
Crcsself, James, elk., M.A., reetor of Llandrillo, co. Denbigh, St.
Asaph dioc., vice Timothy Baldwyn, LL.D., ceded.
Westm., 18 June. (12 Chaa. II, p. 1, No. 443.)
D.iviep, Athanasius, elk., rector of St. Lythan, co. Glamorgan.
Westm., 4 Sept. (12 Charles II, p. 1, No. 201.)
„ Edward, elk., Prebendary or Canon of Warthacoume iu
Llandaff Cathedral, vice Dr. Chafine deceased. Westm.,
24 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 174, 175.)
„ Francis, S.T.B., Archdeacon of Llandaffe, co. Glamorgan.
Westm., 6 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 104; p. 19,
No. 53.)
„ John, elk., rector of Newborough, Bangor dioc. Westm.,
17 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 386.)
„ Randolph, elk., vicar of Myvod, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
25 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 222.)
Davis, John, elk., vicar of Llandeway Rutherow, co. Monmoutli,
Llandaff dioc. Westm., 20 Feb. (13 Chas. II, p. 47,
No. 86.)
Deare, Thomas, B.A., rector of St. Juliett's, co. Glamorgan. Westm.,
6 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. l,.No. 303.)
Delahay, John, elk., vicar of Cloddock, co. Hereford, St. David's
dioc., vice Morgan Delahay, his father, deceased. Westm.,
9 Dlc. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 116.)
Dolben, John, M.A., Canon or Prebendary of Oxford, vice Robert
Paine, S.T.P., deceased. Westm., 9 July. (12 Chas. II,
p. 3, No. 135; p. 19, No. 164)
„ John, S.T.P., rector of Newington-cum-Britwell, Canterbury
dioc., vice Gilbert Sheldon, S.T.P., promoted to be Bihhop
of Londou. Westm., 5 Nov. (12 Charles II, p. 1, No.
79.)
„ John, S.T.P., one of the chaplains in ordinary to the King,
Dean of Westminster, void by the promotion of the last
Dean to the bishopric of Worcester. Westm., 2 Dec.
(14 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 30; p. 19, No. 14)
Draycott, John, elk., M.A., rector of Llandeuiolin, Bangor dioc.
Westm., 22 June. (17 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 62.)
Du Moulin, Peter, S.T.P., rector of Llanrhayader in Kenmeath, co.
Denbigh, Bangor dioc, vice Peter du Moulin, deceased.
Westm., 28 June. (12 Charles II, p. 3, No. 173.)
„ - Prebendary or Canon of Canterbury, vice Puter du
Moulin, S.T.P., deceased. Westm., 29 June. (12 Chas. II,
p. 3, No. 158; p. 19, No. 179.)
Eaton, Owen, elk., rector of Corwen, co. Merioneth. Westm., 20
June. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 440.)
Edward, Samuel, M. A., rector of Poole Chroham, co. Pembroke, vice
... Smart, deceased. Westm., 25 Aug. (12 Chas. II,
p. 1, No. 251.)
230 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Edwards, Samuel, oik., Canon or Prebendary of Llangan, co. Pem-
broke, in St. David's Cathedral, vice Henry GriflSth de-
ceased. 12 and [17] Sept. (12Cha8.II,p.4,Nos.l25,126.)
Elles (Ellis), John, elk., rector of Wolvesnewton, alias Villa Novi
Lnpi, CO. Monrooatb, Llandaff dioc Oxford, 20 Oct
(17 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 40.)
„ John, elk., M.A«, Precentor of St David's Cathedral,
vice William Thomas, S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of
St David's. Westm., 14 March. (30 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 26.)
„ Thomas, elk., S.T.P., rector of Dolgelly, oo. Merioneth,
Bangor dioc. Oxford, 16 Jan. (17 Chaa II, p. 3, No. 25.)
Evance, Cornelias, dk., presentation to the second portion or lefl
part of the rectory of Westbnrv, co. Salop, Lichfield and
Coventry dioc, vice Thomas Mall deceased* Westm.,
11 May. (17 Chaa II, p. 3, No. 69.)
Evans, John, rector of Llanmerewigg, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
24 Ang. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 266.)
„ Michael, S.T.P., Prebendary or Canon of Llangynllo, in the
collegiate church of Brecon, St David's dioc., vice
Stall deceased. Westm., 6 and 12 Sept. (12 Chas. II,
p. 4, Nos. 103, 104.)
„ Walter, elk., Prebendary or Canon of Llandissillio, in the
collegiate church of Brecon [co. Carmarthen],^ St. David's
dioc. Westm., 4 Oct. (12 Charles II, p. 4, No. 49.)
Eyton, David, elk., rector of Bottvarry, oo. Flint. Westm., 16 Aug.
(12 Chas. II. p. 1, No. 279.)
„ Owen, elk., vicar of Corwen, co. Merioneth. Westm., 30 Aug.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 215.)
Feild, Playfer, elk., vicar of Caerwent, co. Monmouth. Westm.,
17 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 273.)
Feilding, John, elk.. Canon Residentiary of Sali8bury,w<j«Wm. Lloyd,
S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of St. Asaph. Westm.,
6 Oct (32 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 9.)
Fenton, Ralph, rector of Ludlow, co. Salop, Hereford dioc. Westm.,
4 Nov. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 131.)
Fowkes, John, elk., rector of Llangadvan, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
17 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 888.)
Fowlkes, John, elk., rector of Llanymowthwy, co. Merioneth.
Westm., 6 Aug. (12 Charles II, p. 1, No. 302.)
Freeman, Thomas, elk., rector of Hubberston and Johnston, with
the vicarage of Staynton, co. Pembroke, vice ... BaJeham
ceded. Westm., 25 Sept (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 136.)
Gamage, Edward, elk., M.A., Archdeacon of Llandaff, vice Francis
Davies, S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of Llandaff.
Westm., 3 Dec. (19 Chas. II, p. 6, No. 23.)
„ Nathaniel, elk., vicar of Newcastle, co. Glamorgan. Westm.,
20 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 369.)
I Sic.
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES II. 231
Gittins, Thomas, elk., vicar of LapingtoD, co. Salop. Westra., 5
Sept. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 157.)
Glemham, Henry, S,T.P., Dean of Bristol, vice Mathew Nicholas,
S.T.P., promoted to be Dean of St. Paul's, London.
Westm., 19 July. (12 Chas. U, p. 3, No. 15 ; p. 19,
No. 118.)
Godwin (Godwyn), Thomas, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Prato
Majore in Hereford Cathedral. Westm., 10 Oct. (12
Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 44, 45.)
Good, Thomas, Prebendary or Canon of Bishops in Hereford
Cathedral. Westm., 17 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 19,
Nos. 108, 109.)
„ Thomas, S.T.P., rector of Culmington, co. Salop. Westm.,
23 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 62.)
Griffith, Owen, oik., M.A., rector of Vaynor, co. Brecon. Westm.,
23 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 336.)
„ Owen, elk., rector of Llandevailog, oo. Brecon, St. David's
dioc. Westm., 9 Sept (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 173).
*' Silvanns, clk^ vicar of Llanbyster, co. Eladnor, St. David's
dioc. Westm., 24 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 224.)
Gwynn, Lewis, elk., rector of Manavon, oo. Montgomery. Westm.,
3 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 422.)
Harries, Richard, elk., vicar of Egglis Er, co. Pembroke, St. David's
dioc; vice Philip Bowen, elk., ceded. Westm., 17 Jan.
(13Chas. ll,p. 47, No. 90.)
Hay ward, Roger, elk., vicar of St. Chadd in the town of Shrews-
bury, Lichfield and Coventry dioc. Westm., 12 Nov.
(14Chas. II, p. 19, No. 104.)
Heylyn (Heylin), Richard, elk.. Canon or Prebendary in Oxford
Cathedral; vice Robert Sanderson, S.T.P., promoted.
Westm., 25 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 95; p. 2,
No. 142, under date 16 Nov.)
Hicks, George, S.T.P., Dean of Worcester ; vice William Thomas,
Bishop of St. David's, promoted to be Bishop of Wor-
cester. Westm., 6 Oct. (35 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 4.)
H'gg*'? Daniel, elk., rector of Portynon, co. Glamorgan. Westm.,
17 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 269.)
Hilliard,- Thomas, elk., rector of Newton Notage, co. Glamorgan.
Westm., 6 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 195.)
Hodges, Thomas, S.T.P., Prebendary or Canon of Huntington in
Hereford Cathedral ; vice Herbert Crofts, S.T.P., pro-
moted to be Bishop of Hereford. Westm., 10 Feb.
(13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 47.)
Holland, Thomas, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Pionia Parvia in
Hereford Cathedral. Westm., 5 Sept. (12 Chas. II,
p. 4, Nos. 143, 144.)
Hooper, William, elk., deacon of Cleobury Mortimer, co. Salop ; vice
Thomas Uayles, deceased. Westm., 14 Oct. (14 Chas. II,
p. 19, No. 18.)
232 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Hoskins, Joho, elk., vicar of Ellesmere, co. Salop. Westm., 23 Nov.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 60.)
Houghton, William, elk., M.A., reetor of listen, eo. Glamorgan.
Westm., 23 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 366.)
Hadson, George, elk., B.A., viear of Baschnreh, co. Salop, Lichfield
and Coventry dioc. Westm., 6 Nov. (14 Chas. II,
p. 19, No. 108.)
Haghes, John, elk., reetor of Darowen, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
24 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 353.)
„ William, elk., vicar of Demerehion, co. Flint, St. Asaph
dioc. Westm., 8 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 180 )
Humphreys, Humfrey, elk., S.T.P., Canon of Bangor; Dean of
Bangor, with the canonry and pi*ebend and parish
churches annexed to same; vice William Lloyd, S.T.P.,
promoted to be Bishop of St. Asaph. Westm., 14 Oct.
(32 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 7.)
James, David, elk., M.A., rector of Kelrhedyn, co. Pembroke, St.
David's dioc. Westm., 4 July. (13 Chas. 11, p. 47,
No. 188.)
Jefferyes, Howell, elk., rector of Bedwes, with the church of Rudry
annexed, cos. Monmouth and Glamorgan. Westm.,
16 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 393.)
Johnson, Martin, elk , M.A., vicar of Dylwyn, co. Heref. Westm.,
20 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 361.)
Jones, David, elk., reetor of Maesmynys, co. Brecon. Westm.,
6 Aug. 12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 311.)
„ David, elk., M.A., rector of Lamereing, co. Montgomery.
Westm., 7 Aug. (12 Chas. H, p. 1, No. 274.)
„ David, elk., M.A., vicar of Bettus Abergeley, co. Denbigh ^
vice Richard Price, deceased. Westm., 28 Aug. (12
Chas. II, p. 1, No. 220.)
„ Edward, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Morton-cum-Whad-
den, in Hereford Cathedral. Westm., 27 Aug. (12
Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 182, 183.)
„ Gregory, elk., M.A., rector of Penderyn, co. Brecon. Westm.,
29 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 424.)
„ James, rector of Kelly bebyU, co. Glamorgan. Westm.,
4 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 421.)
„ John, Prebendary or Canon of Llanall-waith, alias Llanelle-
wey, pertaining to the collegiate church of Brecon, St.
David*s dioc. ; vice [Isaac] Singleton, deceased. Westm.,
5 Oct. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 51, 52.)
„ Rees, elk., rector of Llanvawr, co. Merioneth. Westm.,
2 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 323.)
„ Roger, rector of Mountgomery, co. Montgomery ; vice Dr.
Coote, elk., deceased. Westm., 11 June. (12 Chas. II,
p. 1, No. 448.)
„ Roger, elk., Prebendary or Canon of Trallenge, in the col-
legiate church of Brecon, St. David's dioc: vice
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES II. 233
Brookes, deceased. Westm., 18 Sept (12 Chas. II,
p. 4, Nos. 95, 96.)
Jones, Samuel, B.A., rector of Llandegla, co. Denbigh. Westm.,
30 Jnlj. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 299.)
„ Thomas, elk., rector of Kevenllyce, co. Radnor. Westm.,
24 July. (12 Chaa II, p. 1, No. 357.)
„ Thomas, elk., M. A., rector of Llandurnog, alias Llandurnack,
CO. Denbigh, Bangor dioc, and province of Canterbury.
Oxford, 11 Nov. (17 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 37.)
„ William, elk., M.A., Archdeacon of Caermarthen. Westm.,
13 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 172 ; p. 19, No. 181.)
Kiffin, David, elk., vicar of Sciviog, co. Flint. Westm., 21 Sept.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 135.)
King, Godfrey, LL.B., Archdeacon of Suffolk; vice Lawrence
Womock, S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of St David's.
Westm., 12 Dec. (35 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 5.)
Langford, William, elk., rector of Kenchester, co. and dioc. of Here-
ford. Westm., 22 Feb. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 84.)
Lewies, Stephen, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of St. Herman in the
collegiate church of Brecon, St. David's dioc. ; vice
Richard, deceased. Westm., 13 Sept. (12 Chas. II,
p. 4, Nos. 23, 24.)
Lewis, Edward, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Maghtred in the col-
legiate church of Brecon, St. David's, dioc. ; vice Dr.
Vaughan, deceased. WestuL, 7 Sept. (12 Chas. II,
p. 4, Nos. 123, 124.)
„ Philip, elk., vicar of Presteygne, cos. Radnor and Hereford ;
vice John Scull, elk., deceased. Westm., 24 July. (12
Chas. II, p. 2, No. 100.)
„ Philip, M. A., rector of Presteigne, cos. Hereford and Radnor,
Hereford dioc. Westm., 27 Feb. (14 Chas. II, p. 26,
No. 26.) '
Llewellyn, John, elk., vicar of Stainton with the rectory of Johnston ;
CO. Pembroke, St. David's dioc. Westm., 31 Jan. (14
Chas. II, p. 19, No. 51.)
Lloyd (Loyde, Loyd), Charles, elk., rector of Blethvaugh, co. Radnor.
Westm., 13 August. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 284.)
„ David, elk., B.A., rector of Llanllouchayara, co. Cardigan.
Westm., 16 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 389.)
„ David (of Ruthin in North Wales), LL.D., Dean of St. Asaph,
CO. Flint ; vice Andrew Morris, deceased. Westm., 30
July. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 110 ; p. 19, No. 16.)
„ David, elk., M.A., vicar of Llanvaddrick, Bangor dioc.
Westm., 30 Sept. (16 Chas. II, p. 19, No. ^.)
„ Evan, elk., rector of Gladestry, co. Radnor, St. David's dioc.
Westm., 15 July. (16 Chas. II, p. 19, No. ^\)
„ Humfrey, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Ample ford in York
Cathedral. Westm., 30 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No.
131 ; p. 19, No. 79.)
(To he continued.)
234
Comsipontience.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARCHJEOLOOU CAIIBRBNSIS.
Sir, — Since ic is my desire always to be as accurate as possible,
even small errors leading sometimes to great rosnlts, the following
particulars relating to the Leeswood Bible wiU, I hope, correct mis-
apprehensions which might otherwise arise.
Mr. Pbillimore assures me that he has ceased to collect rare books,
but that the above named work was, he believes, sold by Mr. Eaton
to some one in the north of £ngland, who sent it to be sold at
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson's auction, where it was bonght by
Mr. Toon, a bookseller, for Mr. Phillimore, he agreeing to give in
exchange a Spanish Bible which he had previously purchased from
Mr. Toon.
After carefnl examination of the original, he has given me the
following translation of the manuscript note on the twelfth verse of
the fifty-third chapter of the prophet Isaiah : —
^* Nen efe a wel Had Pa rai a estyn en dyddiau ; a
Or, He shall see seed who (plural) shall extend their days, and
bwriad grasol Jehofah a Iwydda yn ei law.
(the) gracious purpose of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.
lafur ei enaid y gwel ffrwyth ac a foddlonir.
Of the labour of his soul he shall see fruit and shall be satisfied.
Rhoddaf lawer ido yn rhan ar cedym a
1 will give many to him as a portion, and the strong (ones) shall
rana Efe yn ysbail.
he divide as a spoil. Louth. J E."
Mr. Lloyd Fletcher, of Nerqnis,also kindly informs me that there
was no connection between the families of Griffiths of Bhual and
Griffiths of Ty Newydd. The latter place is situated opposite to
the celebrated iron gates at Leeswood, but belongs to the Pentre
Hobyn, and not to the Leeswood estata It is, therefore, probable
that the memorial inscriptions were simply placed in the Bible
when in the possession of Mr. Joseph Eaton, a local antiquary, and
have no reference to its ownership.
Yours truly, H. P. J. Vaughan.
30, Edwardes Square, Kensington, W.
25 June 1886.
235
ittiscellaneous Notices.
Find op Coins. — ^A number of coins, said to be one hundred and
twenty-five, has been dug up on a farm adjoining that named Mon-
achty Gwyn, in Caernarvonshire, belonging to Mrs. Jones Parry of
Aberdanant, and at a spot not far from Bwlch Derwen. Previously
to this a curiously hard and black wooden pail, somewhat similar in
shape to the large tin milk-pails seen on railways, having golden
hoops, and a handle at the top, was dug out of the turbary. Both
of these finds were made within a mile of Monachty Gwyn. The
coins would seem to have disappeared ; but the man who dug up
the pail has since become suddenly rich enough to purchase two
cows, which would seem to furnish grounds for conjecture that
coins may have been discovered by him also, together with the pail.
H. W, L.
A Monumental (?) Stone. — On a small farm near Aberdunant,
named Y Fach Goch, is to be seen a curious stone having a monu-
mental appearance. The oldest inhabitant of the hamlet of Prent^g,
Sian Griffith, who attained her ninety-fifth year in Jane 1886, tells
a tale thereanent to the effect that it was talked of as having much
gold beneath it when she was a girl. It was said that whoever
should dig down to get it would raise such a storm of thunder and
lightning as the world has never known, and that they would wish
they were dead. H. W. L.
Ancient Graves under Moel Gbst. — The same old woman by
whom has been preserved the above tradition of the treasure buried
beneath the stone, tells also that her grandfather often spoke of
•' the numbers and numbers of graves" that there were on the hill
below Moel y Gest, between Morva Lodge and Tirlnontir (sic) Bwlch.
H. W. L.
Find op Carved Wood. — A tenant of Mrs. Jones Parry of Aber-
dunant, living at Voel Vodel Farm, near Forth Nigel, lately pre-
sented her with two pieces of curiously carved wood, both of which
she stated had been picked up on the shore, near Bardsey Island.
One has the shape of a shield, bearing a chevron charged with five
ermine spots between four bulls' heads, three and one. The whole
is of dark wood.
The other piece of wood is a panel, thinner and more battered
than the former, and was originally painted white. Upon it is
carved a mail dexter arm issuing from a wreath, with closed hand
holding a branch of broom, from which depends a chain of half the
236 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
length of the arm, with a padlock engraved with a leopard's head
at the end of the chain. The mail is of plate-armour, with vam-
brace at the elbow, above and below which is a doable plate fastened
by four round rivets.
For all this information the Society is indebted to Mrs. Jones
Parry of Aberdunant. H. W. L.
Bishop Morgan's Welsh Translation op the Bible. — Fuller, in
his Church History (vol. iii, p. 459), gives the following piece of
information, which we believe will be new to many of our readers,
as it has been to ourselves : —
A.D. 1640. — " Towards the close of the Convocation Dr. GriflSth,
a clerk for some Welsh diocess (whose moderate carriage all the
while was commendable), made a motion that there might be a new
edition of the Welsh Church Bible, some sixty years since first
translated into Welsh by the worthy endeavours of Bishop Morgan,
but not without many mistakes and omissions of the printer. Ue
insisted on two most remarkable, — a whole verse left out (Exodus
xii) concerning the angel's passing over the houses besprinkled
with blood, which mangleth the sense of the whole chapter ; another
(Habakkuk ii, 5), where that passage, *He is a proud man', is
wholly omitted. The matter was committed to the care of the
Welsh Bishops, who, I fear, surprised with the troublesome times,
effected nothing therein."
It is curious that Bishop Parry, who revised the Bishops' trans-
lation, and takes, as he deserves, no small credit for his work, did
not notice these omissions in his edition of 1620 ; for they are still
omitted in the first portable edition, published at the expense of
Sir Thomas Myddelton and Mr. Rowland Heylyn, in 1630, from
which we quote the verses in question in order to show, by compa-
rison with the Authorised Version, what exactly they were :—
Bishop Morgan. Authorised Version.
Exod. xii, 13. — ** A'r gwaedd fydd "A'r gwaed fydd i chwi yn ar-
i chwi yn arwydd ar y tai He bydd- wydd ar y tai Ue byddoch chwi : a
och chwi : ac ni bydd pla dinystriol phan wehcyfy gicaed, yna yr dfhei-
arnoch pan darawyf dir yr Aipht." bio i chir'i; ac ni bydd pla dinystriol
arnoch chwi, pan darawyf dir yr
Aipht."
Habac. ii, 5. — " A hefyd gan ei f od " A hefyd gan ei f od yn troseddu
yn troseddu trwy win ac heb aros trwy win, gwr hatch yw efe ac heb
gartref, yr hwn a helaetha ei foddwl arcs gartref, yr hwn a helaetha ei
fel uffem"... feddwl fel uffem."
We are not able to say how soon the omissions were supplied ;
but as attention was now drawn to them, we may conclude that it
was done at once. The next edition wo are able to lay our hands
upon is dated 1678, and is correct; but there had been two others
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 237
issned in the interval, viz. in 1654 and 1671, and we shall be glad
to know whether they also have the omissions supplied.
D. R. T.
We desire to draw the attention of onr members to the following
important undertaking, and we trust they may be induced to give
it substantial support. We can speak for the suitability and excel-
lence of the collotypes, and the Editor's name is a guarantee for the
literary character of the series ; but at present we regret to say that
the number of subscribers is very small.
Old Welsh Texts, edited and revised by John Rhys, M.A., Profes-
sor of Celtic in the University of Oxford, and illustrated with Fac-
similes. — The early literatures of England, France, Germany, and
Scandinavia, have been the subject of profound study and research
in recent years, and the most important texts in each have been
rendered accessible to students in accurate and trustworthy edi-
tions ; but the early literature of Wales has hitherto been less for-
tunate : indeed, there is not a single text of the more important
Welsh MSS. of which we possess a critical edition for the use of
students on a level with the requirements of modern scholarship. It
is now proposed to make a vigorous effort towards removing this
reproach by issuing a series of early Welsh texts which will approx-
imate to the original as closely as the resources of modem typo-
graphy will allow, and will be adequately illustrated with facsimiles.
The volumes will be printed in octavo, in the best style of the
Clarendon Press, so as to compare favourably with the publications
of the Early English and Early French Text Societies. Although
the number of Celtic scholars in Europe is steadily increasing, and
the importance of the Celtic languages for the study of comparative
philology is year by year obtaining wider recognition, the pro-
moters of the undertaking appeal not only to professed scholars,
but also to the wider circle of Welshmen, and of all who care for
the honour of the Cymric name, for their co-operation and support
in the work of preserving from destruction, and handing down to
posterity, the hterary monuments of the national past.
It is intended that the series shall embrace The Black Booh of
Carmarthen^ The Book of Aneurin^ the Book of Taliessin, The Bed
Book of UergeU, The Mahinogiorty and The Triads. The 6rst volume
of the series will be a collotype facsimile of The Black Book of Car-
martlien. Demy 8vo, cloth gilt, 30«. ; royal 8vo, cloth gilt, 528. 6d.
By the courtesy of W. R. M. Wynne, of Peniarth, Esq., the Editor
is in a position to offer a facsimile of this unique MS., the oldest in
the language. It is, therefore, hoped that the response to this
appeal will be such as to justify him in incurring the expense of col-
lotype, the only process by which it is found possible to produce a
facsimile satisfactory in every respect. Unless three hundred sub-
scribers will come forward, or some liberal well-wisher offer hia
assistance, the palaeographical features of this invaluable MS., not-
withstanding every precaution, and the exemplary care taken of it
238 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
by the owner, must continue to mn the risks which have overtaken
so many of the treasures of ancient Welsh literature. All who are
willing to help in this undertaking would greatly oblige by forward-
ing their names at an early date, as the work can only be done in
the summer months.
A collotype specimen page will be sent by Mr. J. O. Evans, 7,
Clarendon Villas, Oxford, on receipt of six penny stamps.
Plas Mawr, Conwt. — This Elizabethan mansion was buDt in
A.D. 1576-80, by Robert Wynne, son of John Wynne of Gwydyr, and
uncle of Sir John Wynne, the historian, and subsequently became
the property of the Mostyn family. As the house, which has now
become the home of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Arts, is one of
the moat unique and well preserved specimens of Elizabethan archi-
tecture in the country, and is historically connected with many of
the oldest families in North Wales, it deserves to be more generally
known, and to be preserved in an enduring record. With this view
a monograph has been prepared by Arthur Baker and Herbert
Baker, the Architects of the Academy, of 14, Warwick Gkirdens,
Kensington, London, consisting of a descriptive and historical
account, and illustrated by twenty-two plates, including views,
plans, and details of every feature of interest, carefully and accu-
rately delineated by the authors from their sketches and measure-
ments, and reproduced in facsimile by photo-lithography.
Having seen some of the specimen illustrations, we have much
pleasure in recommending Mr. Baker's proposed work. The size
will be about 15 ins. by 11 ins., and the price, we believe, £1.
"Llyfr Gwerneioron" (Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 14,935).— Under
the above title is given a *' miscellaneous collection by Lewis Mor-
ris." The Llyfr Owemeigron itself does not form a part of the con-
tents, only, as will be seen in folios 135-145, " an account of the
authors and poems in the transcript made by W. Morris out of it,
the names of men and places mentioned, and some observations by
L. Morris on some words in the poeras." Gwemeigron is an old
mansion in the parish of St. Asaph, and in the seventeenth century
was the residence of the Conways, a branch of the fiewiily of the
Conways of Bodrhyddan.
The principal contents of the MS. are as follow : — List of Welsh
words omitted by Dr. Davios and Mr. Llwyd, f. 2 ; index of the
contents of the volume called Priffeirdd Gymreig (Add. 14,867), f.
8 ; index of the contents of the volume called Y Delyn Ledr (Add.
14,873), f. 10b ; vocabularies of Welsh terms, arranged under heads,
with English explanations, f. 11 ; British measures, g^mes, ancient
oflBcers of state, eponyms, etc., f. 16 ; letter from tfohn Morgan to
Moses Williams respecting a collection of Welsh proverbs, 13 May
1714, f. 20; catalogue of the British names of plants, out of John-
son's Herbal, 1663, f. 21 ; Welsh poem by Morgan Herbert, with his
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 239
epitaph, in Welsh^ Latin^ and English, and pedigree, f. 22 ; ancient
Welsh paraphrase of the beginning of Genesis, f. 25 ; extracts from
a Welsh MS. of William Jones, entitled " Casgliad didrefn", ff. 29,
34b, 42 ; proportion of the letters of the alphabet in English names,
f. 30 ; history of the poetical contest between Edmund Prys, Arch-
deacon of Merionethshire, and William Cynwal, poet, f. 33 ; Welsh
poems by Anenrin, f. 35 ; list of aathorities used in compih'ng a
book of pedigrees at Llanerch, 1761, f. 37; list of Welsh popular
melodies, with the first lines of each, contained in a MS. at Maes y
Forth, f. 38 ; accounts of, and extracts from, Welsh MSS. in the
Mostyn and Llanerch Libraries and elsewhere, containing the ** Brut
y Brenhinoedd", ff. 39, 43b, 46b, 50b ; " A true character of the de-
portment of the principal gentiy for these 18 years last past, within
the connties of Caermarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan", by Colonel
John Jones, f. 48 ; contents of Lord Powis' cabinet of fossils, etc.,
collected by L. Morris, f. 54 ; draughts of the* great double micro-
scope, f. 53b ; vocabulary of words wherein the Welsh and Irish
agree, and which the Armoric Dictionary hath not, f. 57 ; the Armo-
ric-English Vocabulary in Llwyd's Arch, Brit, compared with the
Welsh and Irish^ f. 73 ; the rivers of Wales, from Sforden*s maps,
f. 106 ; copies of several ancient Latin grants of lands in Wales,
f. 116 ; Welsh poems by Gwalchmai ab Meilyr, Kyndelw, Gwyn-
vardd Brycheiniawg, Llywarch Prydydd y Moch, and Einiawn
Waan, chiefly in the handwriting of Will Morris, ff. 121, 127b ; the
ancient cities of Britain, out of Nennius, The Triads, etc., ff. 127,
200b, 211 ; Welsh poems by Meilyr Brydyt, with an English trans-
lation by L. Morris, f. 130; the "Hoiane neu Borchellane" of
Merddin, with various readings and illustration s# f. 131 ; an account
of the authors and poems in the transcript made by W. Morris out
of the Llyfr Owemeigron, f. 135 ; names of men and places and
people in the poems in the forementioned catalogue, f. 139 ; observ-
ations by L. Morris on some words in the above poems, f. 1 43 ;
radicals in the Celtic, f. 145 ; names of the months in Welsh, Cornish,
Armoric, and Irish, f. 147 ; Mr. Jas. Morgan's etymons of Welsh
words, f. 148 ; the names of the British kings in Tyssilio's history,
compared with Ponticus Virunnius and the three editions of Gal-
frid's translation, ff. 150, 160 ; an hypothetical history of Britain's
first discovery, plantation, colonies, etc., f. 157b; portion of "A
Dialogue between an English and a Cambro-Briton in Relation to
the History and Antiquities of Great Britain", f. 164 ; notes on
Galfridus compared with the Welsh copies, f. 166 ; vocabulary, in
Welsh, of things that necessarily received names after the confusion
of Babel, f. 169 ; queries upon the Welsh language by R. Morris, f.
173 ; " englyns" and short poems by Richard Phylips, Gruffudd
Llwydd ap Davydd ap Eignion, Llywarch Hen, f. 174; letter
f'ving an account of the burning of a Hindoo widow at Mnxadabad,
175; ancient Welsh genealogies from various MSS., f. 177; list
of English historians who agree with or differ from Geoffrey of
Monmouth, or remain neuter, f. 199 ; remarks on the name of Bri-
240 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
tain, and names of reproach among the Britons, by L. Morris, f.
203 ; inquiries to be made in every parish in relation to the natural
history, antiquities, etc., ff. 204, 209; copy of an Inspeximus from
Edward I to Roger Mortimer, containing the boundaries of the lord-
ship of Genen'r Glyn, dat. 28 Jan. ao. 11 [1283], Lat ; a catalogue
of the hdds, trivs^ and caers in Anglesey, f. 219 ; a panegyric on
Dr. De Linden, 213 ; Mr. Jones of Llanegryn's etymons, in answer
to Mr. Pegge's queries, 1759, f. 225. Folio. [14,935.]
%rt\iuak$'a €nmktm\s.
FIFTH SERIES.— VOL. Ill, NO. XIL
OCTOBER 1886.
TINTERN ABBEY.
The Abbey of Tiutem is generally allowed to be the
most picturesque of all our monastic ruins. It is also
the one in which we can best study the architecture
and general arrangement of a mediaeval Religious
House. The materials for a history of the community
that occupied it are few ; but the more important of
those questions which arise as to the practice of the
monastic orders in relation to their buildings may be
pretty fully satisfied by a careful examination of these
remains. I will, therefore, address myself principally
to such questions, and to the position of this Abbey in
the history of mediaeval architecture.
Tintern was a house of Cistercian monks ; so called
because they were first established at Ctteaux, in Bur-
gundy, in 1098, as a reformed branch of the Order of
St. Benedict. They chose solitary places, and prac-
tised an exceedingly rigorous discipline, became greatly
celebrated for holiness of life, and spread rapidly over
Christendom ; this being one of their earlier settle-
ments, and the third of those established by them in
this country. It was founded in 1131 by Walter de
Clare, who then held this district. It was further en-
dowed by his successors, and was their usual burying-
place. Although nothing remains of the original build-
ings, we cannot doubt that they were similar to those
5th skr., vol. III. 16
242 TINTERN ABBEY.
which everywhere characterised the Cistercian Order ;
and the peculiarities in arrangement which we should
expect to find in one of their monasteries are clearly
visible in the buildings that now exist. The site was
between the river Wye and the old road or trackway
that then existed along the valley. This road may still
be traced outside the old enclosing wall of the Abbey
precinct, which is stated to have measured 34 acres,
within which enclosure would be, besides the Abbey
church and the attached buildings, the chief farm-
buildings, storehouses, mills, workshops, guest-house,
infirmary, and almonry ; everything that was required
in such an establishment being kept under the eye of
the Abbot. It should be noted that the cloister and
the buildings in which the monks lived were placed on
the north side of the church, although that would be
the cold side. They were so placed, as in many other
instances, to be away from the road, for quietude, and
near the river for facility of drainage. Where these
objects could be gained by placing those buildings on
the south side of the church, that arrangement was
always preferred.
Entering the church by the western doorway (which
we have not failed to notice as one of the most beauti-
ful examples of such an entrance that exists), w^e ob-
tain the best general view of the whole building. It
consists of a nave and chancel, both having aisles; and
a transept, which has an aisle on its eastern side only.
Although the vaulting has entirely disappeared, toge-
ther with the piers and arches on the north side of the
nave, the work that remains sufficiently shows the
whole design as it was originally built. The "nova
ecclesia" was provided by Roger Bigod, whose family
had succeeded, by marriage, to the possessions of this
branch of the family of De Clare. Tne date of its com-
mencement was 1269, the first service was held within
it in 1287, and Mass was first celebrated in the choir
on October 5th, 1288. We have these particulars from
the Chronicle of William of Worcester, who, while visit-
TINTERN ABBKY. 243
ing the Monastery, noted its principal dimensions, and
the leading facts in its history.
The church would thus be finished towards the end
of the thirteenth century. It was the last part of the
work done in the complete rebuilding of the Abbey, as
we shall see when we come to the cloister-buildings,
which clearly show the transition from the severe forms
of early thirteenth century architecture to the lighter
and more ornate features of the latter part of that cen-
tury, . The window-tracery in the church, which is
some of the most beautiful in this country, is a rather
early example of the geometrical tracery which came
into full use soon after Tintern was begun, but which
was first exhibited in the choir and transept of West-
minster Abbey, — a work that was completed in 1169,
the year of the commencement of this church.
In proceeding to examine the church we observe
that the early Cistercian arrangement is here carried
out on a greatly extended scale. All the earlier churches
of the Order had very short chancels, two bays only in
length, and without chancel-aisles. Each arm of the
transept had two chapels projecting towards the east,
80 that there was a principal altar and four smaller
altars in the part of the church which was used by the
monks. I have shown this arrangement in the conjec-
tural plan, which, for reasons to be given, I have drawn
on the ground-plan of the existing building. But this
new church has a very fine chancel of four bays in
length, furnished with aisles ; so that there were two
minor altars at the end of the chancel (the piscina
of the southern one still existing in an altered condi-
tion), besides the principal altar. There were also the
usual pair of small chapels on the eastern side of each
arm of the transept; but instead of being low, project-
ing buildings, they stood in the lofty aisle, and were
divided oif by tall screens ; the stone screen being a
feature that we shall see greatly employed for marking
out the various parts of this church. Thus the chancel
(using the word to distinguish the eastern arm of the
16»
244 TINTEllN ABBEY.
church) was divided from each of its aisles by a tall
screen, marking off what we may call the presbytery
from the two side-aisles used as chapels. Whether
there were any doorways in these screens, or not, we
Ciinnot discover, but it is probable that there were.
The stalls of the monks would extend westward as
far iis the first of the ordinaiy piers in the nave, the
stone screens extending down the nave as well as the
chancel. Openings, marked D and E on the plan, were
left for a thoroughfare across the chancel to the south
aisle.
At c was a massive stone screen crossing the nave,
and having a doorway in the middle, with a stair-
case. In Potters plan (published in 1847) the remains
of this are shown, and I saw them in 1854. A still
more massive screen may be traced at Jervaulx Abbey,
where there are some indications of this mode of
dividing the church by stone screens. Clear remains of
screens also exist between the nave- piers at Fountains
and Build was, and between the eastern chapels at Dore.
They furnish very important indications of the way in
which the different classes who worshipped in a church
of the Cistercian Order were accommodated. Thus the
monks, who were bound to attend the whole of the
services required by the rule of the church, would
descend from their dormitory to the night services by
the staircase in the north transept, marked a, and pro-
ceed by the opening, D, to the choir ; and for the day
services they would enter the church by the doorway,
B, direct from the cloister. For the service of the Mass
they would have ready access to the altars in the north
transept and the adjacent aisle of the chancel, besides
the principal altars, without being observed from any
other part of the church. The lay brethren, who w^ere
illiterate men under monastic vows, but devoted to the
out-door work of the establishment, occupied the build-
ings nearest to the north-western angle of the nave,
and they would enter for their morning and evening
service by the curiously splayed passage, marked I,
TINTERN ABBEY. 245
formed in that angle. The novices (if any were re-
ceived) would enter by the same door ; and both these
classes are known to have had their regular places in
the western part of the nave, to which they would pass
under the arch, H, from which the screen was omitted.
It will be observed that the south aisle is entirely shut
off from the nave, the opening, G, having been fitted
with a door. The opening, e, which was the only
entrance from the choir to the south transept, would
be easily controlled ; so that practically the whole of
the southern side of the church might be used, when
necessary, by persons not belonging to the establish-
ment without any interference with the monks or lay
brothers.
Among those who would want to attend the ser-
vices in the church would be the guests, who might be
persons of distinction entertained by the Abbot, or
travellers using the Abbey as the only place where they
could be lodged for a night, or those who, as pilgrims,
had made a special journey with the object of worship-
ping here. Any house built for their entertainment
would be near the west end of the church, and the
door marked J would most conveniently admit them to
the south aisle. The door, K, in the south transept,
might admit these or other persons lees under the con-
trol of the monks. Tintern was always one of the
poorest of monasteries, and would know little of the
demands made on the hospitality or on the religious
services of the richer abbeys, many of which had to
provide a separate church, near to the abbey church,
for the special use of pilgrims and tenants or neigh-
bours. The great western door would be used only for
the entrance of persons of distinction, or for occasions
of ceremony, according to a practice which still prevails
with such entrances.
A close examination of the buildings will render it
clear that when the present church was undertaken,
the other buildings had, as has been said, only recently-
been completed. Of necessity, the original church
246 TINTERN ABBEY. '
would still be standing, or the raonks could not carry
on their services during the nineteen years that elapsed
from the foundation of the new church till they cele-
brated their first Mass in the new choir. Its place
would certainly be where indicated on the plan, and its
size would be about as shown ; for I have taken the
existing church of Buildwas, which is of the usual
dimensions of the early Cistercian churches, as a model.
Now the new church, however uniform it may look, is
clearly the result of different stages extending over
many years, during which there was a marked progress
in architectural taste. The first stage includes the
chance], except its north-western angle ; the south tran-
sept ; and a short length of the south side of the nave.
The foundation was, however, put in for the remainder
of the south side, for the west front, and probably also
for the piers on the north side. Then the western part
of the nave was completed, together with the north
aisle and part of the north transept. Lastly, the north
transept was completed, by degrees, on its northern
and eastern sides.
The object of this procedure must, in my opinion,
have been to admit of the old church being retained as
long as possible, and only removed bit by bit, as ac-
commodation had been provided in the new building.
The evidence on which these conjectures are founded
will presently appear. Meanwhile we will note that
the nave is exceedingly short in relation to the rest of
the building. Instead of the six bays which it contains,
such churches have usually eight, ten, or twelve bays.
The chief reason was probably want of means, or that
it was felt to be large enough for so small a Monastery;
but its site was fixed at the east end by the position of
the adjoining buildings, and it could not have been
extended westward without running into the rising
ground, which makes it necessary to descend (contrary
to the usual custom) on entering at the west doorway.
There are several clear indications of the progress of
the work by the stages I have mentioned. I give them
in detail because of their archaeological interest.
TINTERN ABBEY. 247
1. When the church was begun it was still the
fashion to raake use of detached shafts in all the piers
and internal angles. This practice is most conspicuous
at Salisbury. Other well known examples are the
choir and transepts of Westminster, and the eastern
part of Durham. Owing to the weakness caused by
that mode of construction many failures took place. Of
this the crippled condition of Salisbury is a proof. Per-
haps also the architects of that day grew tired of the
fashion. Now in the south-eastern part of Tintern, in-
cluding nearly all the chancel, the south transept, and
part of the south side of the nave, detached shafts were
used. They were used profusely in the great south
window. Round each of the great piers of the chancel
four such shafts were put. Some one has said they
were of marble, and the use of Purbeck would be pro-
bable ; but nothing remains to show this. They were
forcibly torn away, and therefore may have been of
value. But all the piers of the nave are constructed
with solid mouldings instead of detached shafts ; and
about half way down the nave there is an abrupt
change in the construction of the window-jambs, mark-
ing tne commencement of the second stage in the work.
The chief evidence to prove that the foundation of the
west end is of the earlier date consists in the prepara-
tion made for detached shafts on the bases inside the
great doorway. The shafts were never actually sup-
plied, but an elaborate stop was put to the arch in
order to get over the difficulty caused by the absence
of a capital.
2. In the earlier work of the chancel, south transept,
and the adjoining portion of the nave, the window-
tracery is of a beautiful, early geometrical pattern, the
cusps being formed in the characteristic manner ; but
the two windows nearest the west end of the south
aisle, and the whole of those in the north aisle, are later
and poorer in design. Also in the great west window,
and still more in the great window of the north tran-
3ept, there are indications of greater progress in the
248 TINTERN ABBEY.
design of the tracery; and in the latter there are cusps
which are characteristic of the fourteenth and following
centuries. Then, in the earlier work, the glazing was
fixed outside the tracery, against a rebate, while in the
later work the glazing was let into grooves in the centre
of the mullions and tracery-bars.
3. The most interesting part of the church is the
north transept-aisle, for it was clearly built at a later
time than the adjacent work in the chancel and tran-
sept, though in imitation of its general ejBTect ; while in
matters not likely to be noticed, the architect followed
the newer fashions of his day. Thus the two great
piers have the four small detached shafts to match the
old work ; but in copying them he might naturally
think that they ran through the stone bands that were
put midway in their height. He therefore sunk holes
through his bands, and ran his shafts through them.
We can now see that in the older work the shafts were
only let into the bands to a very slight extent. But the
small mouldings on the stone screens in the newer
work are of an independent design ; and while the win-
dows marked x, Y, and z, resemble in general effect the
windows of the older work, the mouldings round the
inside of the jambs are of distinctly fourteenth century
character.
4. The church was designed without the use of flying
buttresses ; but the builder of the north transept-aisle
must have thought the vaulting would require that
form of support. By careful inspection we may see the
remains of two flying buttresses ; but it is worth noting
that in the ruins of the church, these, with their vaults,
have fared no better than the work that was done
without them.
The new church included a sacristy (marked 1),
entered only from the north transept, and handsomely
vaulted. In building it, a window that had existed on
the south side of the chapter-house was blocked up.
The communication between it and the adjacent room
is modern.
TINTERN ABBEY. 249
This room, 2, had a perfectly plain barrel-vault,
showing that its internal appearance was of no import-
ance ; but it has one of the most handsome doorways
in the Abbey. Inside this doorway we see where the
new work joins on to the older work in the chapter-
house. There is always a narrow space of some kind
between an abbey church and the chapter-house. Many
guesses have been made as to its use. It is often a
mere passage, or else manifestly a sacristy. Sometimes
it was handsomely vaulted, and left open to the clois-
ter, thus differing entirely from this case. Therefore,
while we may conjecture that in some cases the trea-
sury, parlour, cloister library, or mortuary, may have
been so placed, it is certain that no one purpose could
have been served by such different rooms ; and there is
not the least evidence in favour of any of the uses that
have been suggested.
The chapter-house is entered by three arched open-
ings, in the jambs of which detached shafts were very
freely used. It is of the usual Cistercian form and
dimensions. Originally it had, besides the east win-
dows, a window on each side, near the east end ; but
that on the south side was blocked up when the pre-
sent church and sacristy were built. It was very hand-
somely floored with tiles, which have only lately been
discovered. They comprise many beautiful patterns of
thirteenth century design ; and the flooring was un-
covered, and further investigated, specially in view of
the visit of this Association.
The place next beyond the chapter-house, No. 4, had,
like it, a handsome archway fitted with a door. It is
very narrow, and I think there was a doorway at the
opposite end, making it serve as a passage to the
ground in which stood the infirmary.
The next place (5), now used as a passage, may or may
not have been so used originally. It now leads to the
same ground. One of these places may have been used
as the parlour, where the monks, otherwise bound to
silence, might go when business required one to speak
250 TINTERN ABBKY.
to another. But there is no sufficient evidence to prove
this. Those who think the parlour must have been
here may say that the apartment sometimes so called,
and sometimes called the auditorium, cannot very well
have been in any other place.
The infirmary, of which some remains probably exist
in the rough part of the orchard, eastward of the clois-
ter, was a detached building to which the monks retired
when they were too old or too feeble to go through the
severe discipline of the Monastery. They had their
own chapel, and were allowed such comforts as were
suitable to their condition.
The lobby, No. 6, led to what is commonly called
" the day room of the monks". I believe that one of
the recesses at the further end of the room had been a
fireplace. In the earlier monasteries no fireplace was
provided in this room. Sometimes the arches at the
further end were open to the weather. In some cases
fireplaces were added afterwards. Such rooms are
always covered with rather low vaulting, so that they
have been supposed to be cellarage ; but they were
very suitable for such indoor work as may have been
performed by the monks in the intervals between their
studies or devotions. A door on the eastern side led
out to the latrines ; and the stream of water which was
always brought through this part of a monastery, ran
in a capacious sewer beneath them.
The staircase marked 7 led to the dormitory, which
extended over the day-room, and probably as far as
the chapter-house, which would have the library and
scriptorium above it, extending as far as the north
transept ; the great window in which was very ingeni-
ously made blank as to its lower part, so as to admit
of this high building coming against it.
At the top of the dormitory-staircase was a separate
room, with a small cell opening from it. This was pro-
bably the lodging of the Prior. In the fifteenth cen-
tury an additional story was placed over this room,
and the stairs continued by another flight.
TINTERN ABBEY. 251
The room 8 is handsomely vaulted, and was plastered;
as, indeed, was the church and all the more important
parts of the Monastery. By a very ingenious arrange-
ment a fireplace was provided in the centre of the
room, and had arches round it, which supported the
chimney. This is called the kitchen by Mr. Edmund
Sharpe ; but it appears to have been the calefactoiy,
where the monks might warm themselves.
The refectory is of handsome design, exhibiting in
the remains of its windows an instance of the profuse
use of the detached shafts, which contribute to the
proof of the earlier date of the monastic buildings. The
windows had their upper openings pierced out of solid
stonework, producing what is called " plate-tracery", a
mode that had almost disappeared when the nova eccle-
sia was built.
The archway, 12, often mistaken for the pulpit, was
only the opening that led to the pulpit-stairs. The
young monk who read at meals was placed well above
the heads of the monks, who sat on forms placed
against the walls, with narrow tables before them.
Outside the entrance to the refectory were the stone
troughs (10) in which the monks washed their hands ;
and deeply recessed arches, now nearly destroyed, gave
a fine effect to this lavatory. An opening through the
wall of the refectory would enable the monk who served
to wash without going out into the cloister.
The small room, 9, entered from the refectory, would
be suitable for the storage of articles used at meals.
The arched opening communicating with the kitchen is
the hatch (11) through which the portions for each monk
were passed ; and close to it is a panel sunk in the
wall, to contain a movable flap that was let down to hold
the dishes.
The kitchen comes next ; but very little of interest
remains in it except the indication of a handsome door-
way, to match the others in the cloister.
The range of building where the conversi, or lay
brothers, were lodged, extending along the west side of
252 TINTERN ABBEY.
the cloister-gartb, consisted of a long apartment adjoin-
ing the kitchen, and very similar to the monks' day-
room. It was entered by a curiously skewed passage (13)
like that which exists at the north-west comer of the
church. South of this is a smaller room, and then
there is what seems to have been a separate house. We
may reasonably conjecture that the Abbot was lodged
in this house, although it seems small for such a pur-
pose ; but the Abbot of Tin tern was of very little
account. A staircase from the upper story of the lay
brothers' building passed behind this house, and led
down, under a pent-roof, towards the doorway in the
north-west corner of the nave. Wie may note that this
is the place where one who had to exercise control over
the Monastery and its surroundings could best be
placed.
The arcades that once surrounded the cloister-garth
have been destroyed, not one example remaining in
any English Cistercian house ; but many fragmente of
them exist amongst the ruins, particularly of a new por-
tion that was begun late in the fifteenth century, and
which extended from the entrance to the nave, marked
B, as far as the chapter-house. This was, no doubt, the
work alluded to in the will of William Herbert, Earl of
Pembroke, who was beheaded by the Lancastrians in
1649, leaving one hundred tons of stone "to make the
cloyster at Tynterne".
In this description of the Abbey I have dealt with
the architectural features only. There are slight re-
mains of sculptured figures, and the patterns of floor-
tiles are numerous. Sculpture was forbidden in the
early days of the Cistercians ; but when Tintern was
built, the rule had been relaxed. The architectui-al
carvings, such as the foliage in the capitals and bosses,
is extremely beautiful, chiefly of thirteenth century
design, but showing a change to the natural foliage of
the fourteenth century in many of the bosses of the
higher roofs.
Thomas Blashill, F.R.I.B.A.
253
RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAEN GWYN, DOLAU
GWYN, AND NANNAU.
A MARRIAGE COVENANT OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
At a distance of about three miles from Towyn, and
two from Ynys Maengwyu, on a knoll on the right bank
of the pretty little stream, marked in the Ordnance
Map as Afon Melindre, which runs from the waterfall
of Dolgoch down a portion of the valley leadirg to the
slate-quarries of Aber Gwynolwyn, and the Tal y Llyn
Lake, noted for its picturesque beauty, its secluded
little grey church, and its trout-fishing, the pedestrian's
attention is attracted by an old three-gabled house of
somewhat forlorn and even desolate appearance, stand-
ing by what may pass as an apology for a garden, with
here and there a few scattered and stunted trees. A
short, neglected road leads to the house from the lane
that winds up the valley, with fields in the background,
separated by low, antique stone walls.
The place, though still inhabited, and having the
surroundings and appurtenances of a farm, yet bears on
the face of it a sombre and somewhat melancholy look
of neglect, bespeaking on the whole an appearance of
having seen better days ; made only the more conspi-
cuous by the shining on it, as if in contrast to its pre-
sent condition, of a bright and cheerful sun. With all
this its aspect is that of a house that bears its sorrows
with dignity ; and thus it draws to itself the respect
and sympathy of the traveller, who soon begins to sus-
pect its real character to be that of an ancient mansion
of some departed family of the Welsh gentry ; and if
he be a lover of old times and old histories, and the
relics that are left of them, he will desire to make fur-
ther investigation, with the view to ascertain whether
his first impressions will not be borne out by a peep
254 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAEN GWYN,
into the interior. There he will find the decorations,
like the architectural design outside, Jacobaean; the
walls and ceilings of the rooms frescoed with armorial
bearings; and the sleeping arrangements in the highest
story, under a roof supported by enormous tie-beams,
not a little resembling those described in the poem of
lolo Goch on Glendower's mansion at Sycharth, for the
repose of bards when his guests.
The name of this venerable mansion is Dolau Gwyn,
a term that may be Englished as "the bright meadows".
From the subjoined document we learn that it was
built shortly before 1620, when it is described as '* The
New House"; and we know from other sources that it
was long the abode of a junior branch of the family of
Ynys Maengwyn, and by that connection, as well as by
intermarriage with other illustrious houses, held high
consideration in the county.
Lewis Gwyn, the principal subject of the subjoined
document, was a cadet of the ancient stock of Ynys
Maengwyn, descended from the renowned Osbom Fitz-
gerald, or Osbwrn Wyddel (" Osborn the Irishman", as
the Welsh called him), albeit a son of an Earl of Decies
and Desmond,^ and a scion of the noble stock of the
Geraldines, descended from Gerald Fitz- Walter de
Windsor, Constable of Pembroke Castle, living in 1108,
whose son Maurice, by his wife Nesta, daughter of
Rhys ab Tudor, Prince of South Wales, laid the founda-
tion of the greatness of his house in Ireland by his
prowess in the expedition of Richard Strongbow for
the conquest of that country, from South Wales, under
Henry 11. In his own country Osborn had met with
a mishap ; that is to say, he had slain, in a personal
encounter, another Irish Earl,^ and finding for once
" discretion to be the better part of valour", had sought
refuge in Wales until the storm raised by this escapade
should have blown over.
^ Jobn Fitz-Thomas, grantee of Decies and Desmond in 1229,
according to Sir William Botham.
« '* Of Clovargin". Tat Croesion MS,
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 255
According to a traditional account his first Nommn
ancestor was the son or grandson of an Italian named
Other, a descendant of the Gherardini, ancient lords of
Tuscany, whom a similar piece of ill luck had driven
from his native land into England in the time of St.
Edward the Confessor, and who enjoyed large posses-
sions in five of the southern counties.
In the Tai Croesion MS. his coming into Wales is
fixed in the year 1200 ; but it can scarcely have been
80 early, if it be true, as there also stated, that he
married Agatha, daughter of the King of Castile, and
niece of Edward I, who made him Steward of North
Wales. The date is fixed by Robert Vaughan, the
antiquary of Hengwrt, as 1237; but later by the late
W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., of Peniarth, who published in
this Journal a curious account of the family, from a
MS. at Mostyn,^ with which is incorporated a shorter
one, in the Peniarth Library, from the pen of the anti-
quary himself. Here we are told the story, which has
historical probability in its favour, that Osborn brought
with him one hundred men, well mounted on grey
horses, and that he offered his services to Prince Llew-
elyn the Great,^ who accepted them, and gave him in
marriage his ward, the heiress of Cors y Gedol, by
whom he had two sons, Einion and Cynwric ; of whom
the former had four sons, Grono Llwyd, Heilin, Cynw-
ric, and Llewelyn Goch.
Grono and Heilin had lands which still bear their
names, "Cae Grono Llwyd", and "Cors Heilyn", and
are now part of the demesne of Cors y Gedol. To
Cynwric, Osborn gave Cors y Gedol, besides his share
of his father's inheritance. His son and successor,
Llewelyn ap Cynwric, enjoyed both. By his marriage
^ Arch, Camb., 1875, p. 1. See also Williams' Eminent Welshmen,
$. V.
* In R. Vaughan's Pedigrees, p. 1137 ; but in a later hand is a
statement, in Welsh, that he came over with Grnffydd ab Ednyved
Vychan, when the latter had been forgiven by Llewelyn for the in-
dignity oflPered by him to his Princess Joan, the daughter of John
King of England.
256 RHIWAKDOG, YNYS MAEN GWYN,
with Nest, daughter and heiress of Gruflfydd ab Adda
of Dol Goch and Ynys Maen Gwyn (sixth in descent, in
the direct male line, from Gwaethvoed, lord of Cardigan),
who was Rhaglot of Estimaner in 3 and 7 Edward III,
and whose tomb is still to be seen in Towyn Church, '
he added Ynys y Maengwyn and other large posses-
sions to his own inheritance ; and among them, doubt-
less, that of Dolau Gwyn.
From this time forward the family appears in history
as one of the first consequence in North Wales. Gruf-
fydd, the son of Llewelyn, is described as " a firm ad-
herent of the House of Lancaster, and one of the de-
fenders of Harlech Castle under his valiant cousin,
David ab leuan ab Einion of Cryniarth in Edemion."
His wife was Eva, daughter of Madog ab Elisau of
Cryniarth, son of lorwerth, lord of Llangar, third son
of Owain Brogyntyn. Her brother,* Llewelyn ab Madoc
ab Elisau (of whom she was also a coheiress), was Bishop
of St. Asaph from 1357 to 1375.^ Their son Einion
married Tanglwst, a daughter of the noble house of
Gogerddan* (another branch from Gwaethvoed), from
whose time is to be dated the first great division of
this vast territorial dominion.
Einion had three sons, Gruffydd, leuan, and lor-
werth, and two daughters, one of whom, Mali, became
the wife of Howel Selyf of Nannau, the ill fated hero
of *' the Blasted Oak", and ancestor of all the Nanneys.
" The oflfepring and posterity of these brethren*', says
the antiquary, " did so multiply that from that time
they were called " Tylwyth Einion ' (the Einion family).
Gruffydd, the eldest son, had Cors y Gedol ; lor-
werth, the third, had Ynys Ma^n Gwyn ; and
leuan ab Einion, living in 1427, had three sons* and
two daughters by his wife Angharad, daughter and
heiress of Davydd ab y Gwion Llwyd of Hendwr, or
^ See Hist Powys Fadog, vol. v, p. 111.
* Her father was Rhydderch ab leaan Lloyd, Esq., of Park Rhydd-
erch, in Glyn Aeron. Lewis Dvmtiy i, pp. 15, 44.
' Six sons are assigned to him by Guto V Glyn.
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 257
David of Hendwr. He inherited and resided at Cryn-
iarth (now a modem farmhouse, visited by the Associa-
tion at the Bala Meeting in 1884), and was ancestor of
the Le wyses of Peng wern , in Ffestiniog ; of the Vaughans
of Vron Heulog, in Llanvair Talhaiarn; of the Wynns of
Llwyn,in Llanrhaiadr inCeinmeirch; and of the Wynnes
of Peniarth. A poem addressed to him by Guto'r Glyn
is extant, translations of which by the Rev. Walter
Davies {Gwallter Mechain) and the Rev. John Jones
(Tegid) are preserved at Peniarth; and on this account,
as also for its historical value, we will take this occa-
sion of presenting it here, together with a translation,
which, although not precisely identical in form with
those of the above illustrious writers, will be under-
stood to have followed them in substance throughout,
except where specified in the notes. From frequent
transcription, the text is often so obscure that even
they sometimes have differed in the rendering ; and
** who shall decide when doctors disagree V*
CYWYDD I lEUAN AP EINION AP GRUFFYDD O'R CRYNIARTH.
" Y gwr da o gywirdeb,
A folwn ni o flaen neb,
Un o'r Saint yr Ynjs hon,
Enw Hwn lenan ap Einion.
O ferch Rydderch rieddawg,
T c^d J rhyw a'n ceidw rhawg.
O flodau'r dean, a'i dawn,
Ac o Wynedd, ac Einiawn.
O ry w Indeg, a'r Hendwr,
Oedd nwch nen gyfuwch &'i gwr.
Benno Lwyd, o Ben y Lan,
By wyd i bskwb y w lenan.
Oen tangnefedd a heddwcb,
A Hew traws i eilliaw trwch.
Os oen Daw a Sand leaan,
Dan o'r leirll nid aent a'i ran.
Nid k*r gwr a da'r gwirion,
Nis gild yr Angharad hon.
Bu ladrad beb lywodraetb,
Bu drais, — dros y byd yr aetb,
lenan oedd darian dir,
Ag lenan a fa gywir.
lenan a fibes yn y ffydd,
6th seb.» tol. III. 17
258 RHIWAEDOG, YinTS MAEN GWYN,
A'i In dof drwy alw Dafydd,
Y modd y flToes llu Moesen
O'r ffrwd rhag gwp^ Pharo hen
Pan bxofes Moeses y m6r,
Treiai ymaith mal trimor ;
Ag yno lla'r paganiaid
Aeth iV llif,— ni ddaetho'r llaid.
TJn ffyrf ft gwerin Pharo,
T gyrr ffeils y gywir i ffo,
Ll^rad gorwlfiS ag erlyn
Yw llif Noe a'r llefain ynn :
Gyrr a gafias yn rasol
Blaen trai, a'i blant ar ei ol ;
Aeth leuan i'r Ikn a'i lu,
Aeth eraill i'w merthym.
Moroedd, o bechod marwol,
A foddai rai ar ei ol.
Yn Nasreth, Uwyth hen Israel,
Ei blant ef yw'r blanet hael.
Meistr Rydderch, yn annerch N#r,
Yw meistr yr hoU rymnster ;
Ar ol yr ysgol yr ftf,
O lin hwn, i'w alw'n hynaf.
Dafydd a phair onwydd Ffraingc,
Dewi'r Barwniaid ifaingc ;
Pleidiwr a holwr yw hwn,
Pleidiwr gwiw, paladr Glwn ;
Rhys ymlaen ynys Nannau,
Grnffydd, oes i gorph y ddan.
Adar ym ^t, o dai'r medd,
Llwch gwin holl achau Qwynedd ;
A dan frawd ienaf ar ol,
O lin enwog olynol
Y Saint yw Thomas a Sion,
A geidw Gwynedd, goed gwynion,
Chwe-mab uchel a cbryfwyr,^
Ag wyth rhwng merched a gwfr.
Wythnyn teg aeth yn nn ty,
A Noe h^n nn o hynny ;
Wyth y sydd gyweithas iawn,
Wyth enaid tylwyth Einiawn.
Angylion Duw yng glan dwr,
A thrin-deirw llwyth yr Hendwr.
Lln'r Cryniarth, ym Mnarth medd,
Llanwant bob lie o Wynedd.
Llwyn imp fal y berllan yntj
> I have ventnred to restore this line from conjecture, from *^ucho
a ymvyyr^\ which is clearly corrupt.
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 259
LHn o b^n Edwin ydynt ;
Ofer yw ffyrfder a ffawd,
Heb ryw lenan a'i briawd,
A dyro, Dduw, oed i'r ddau,
A'u plant, a'n heppil hwynfcau,
I gadw hynny o giwdawd,
IV tuedd fry, hyd Dydd Frawd."
Translation.
The Gentleman of truth and honour.
Whom we praise above any one,
One of the Saints of this Island,
His name is leuan, son of Einion.
Prom the daughter of the noble Rhydderch
Was gained the race that will henceforth preserve us ;
Prom the flower and the genius of the South,
And from Gwynedd, even from Einion ;
Of the race of the Indeg^ of Hendwr,
As high or higher than her spouse.
A Blessed Ben no, at the top of the bank,*
Is leuan, the life of us all ;
A lamb for peace and repose,
Yet a lion in fury to fell the froward,
Albeit a lamb of God and of St. John,^
Not two of the Earls could carry off his share.
He is not the man to despoil the simple,
Nor would his Angharad allow it.
There has been plundering, and no government ;
Wrongdoing, — it has overspread the world.
Then leuan was the shield of his country,
And upright and true has been leuan.
In the faith^ did leuan flee.
With his disciplined force, by calling in David,
As fled the host of Moses
From the flood before Pharaoh's men of old.
When Moses essayed the sea
It ebbed away with threefold speed.
And then the host of the heathen
* According to Welsh mythology, a lovely lady of King Arthur's
court. See Eminent Welshmen, s. v.
* Cryniarth, on the height above Hendwr, on the bank of the
Dee, where an entrenchment is still visible to mark the site. Many
vitrified stones, taken from a vallum recently destroyed, are placed
in a wall behind it.
' St. John would be leuan's name-Saint, and therefore his patron.
* This expression is obscure. The bard would seem to have re-
garded the civil as, in a sense, a religions war ; perhaps from the
saintly virtues of King Henry YI, whose cause he espoused.
17*
260 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAEN GWYN,
Entered the flood, but escaped not the mire.
Even so, as with Pharaoh's followers,
Do the false drive the faithfal away.
The raid and pnrsnit o'er the border
To ns are Noah's flood and its cry.
By gnuie was lenan the man to gain
The ebb's edge, and his children behind him.
To the shore came lenan and his host.
To their martyrdom went the others ;
But seas, for their deadly sin.
Drowned some of those behind him,
As Nazareth of the ancient Tribe of Israel,
Of his children is he the benign planet.^
Master Richard, who calls npon the Lord,
Is the master of all power.^
Up the ladder will I go
To call him the eldest of his line.
David makes ready spear^staves for France ;
The Saint David of all yonng barons.
A pleader and advocate he.
The noble pleader of the stem of Qiwn.
Rhys, in the f oregronnd of Nannan ;
Ghrnflfydd, long life to the twain !
" Birds of the Bright Lake" are they to me.*
Of all the tribes of Gwynedd, from the Mansion of the Mead,
And the two yonngest brothers after them,
Of their fftmons line in snccession.
Are the Saints, Thomas and John,
That shall preserve Gwynedd, a forest of blessed ones.
^ Both G wallter Mechain and Tegid were, pnzzled by this conplet,
which, as it stands, has neither sense nor metre. For " Yn Nasreth,
llwyth h6n", the former proposed to read "A th'rawsai llwyth yr",
bnt apparently without anthority. Connecting the line with the
foregoing, G. M. translated it, "And they (the seas) smote the host
of Israel. His sons are the generons planet". And Tegid, " They
stmck at the tribe of Israel ; His sons acted under the influence of
a benign planet". My version would require "Mai N." or " Oedd
N." But the bard, perhaps, wrote " Moesen": "As Moses was, of
the tribe of Israel, so leuan is, of his children, the benign planet."
^ This couplet is omitted by G. M. and Tegid, and the omission
has led them into error in supposing that the bard has named but
iive sons, whereas the eldest and sixth was Richard, and apparently
a priest.
^ These birds belong to the mythological region of Welsh romance,
and are said to have punctually, and to the letter, done the bidding
of their master, Drudwas, for whose tragical end, in consequence,
see Eminent WeUhmen, s. v. They are mentioned in the Dream of
BJiondbwy^ and by L. Glyn Cothi in his Elegy on Gwervyl Hael,
D. V, iv, p. 379, 6rst ed. ; also in a triplet ascribed to Llywarch Hen.
DOLAU GWYN, AKD NANNAU. 261
Six tall sons, six strong men.
And eight between sons and daaghters.
Eight persons came in one house,
And one, the old Noah, from the same :
Eight who are a jost society,
Eight sonls are the Einion family.
Angels of Qod on the water's brink,
And balls of battle of the Tribe of Hendwr.
The host of Cryniarth, in Meiarth flowing with mead.
Shall fill every spot in Qwynedd.
A grove engrafted are they, like the orchard ;
They are the line of the old Edwin.
Vain are substance and fortune
Without the race of leuan and his spouse.
And give Thou, O God, long life to the pair.
And to their children and their offspring too,
So as to preserve this selfsame clan
For the land above until the day of doom.
There is at Peniarth an interesting letter, dated from
Manavon, July 5th, 1836, addressed to the late Mr.
Wynne by the Rev. Walter Da vies, in which he says
that ** the troubles alluded to by the bard were about
the commencement of the civil wars between the rival
houses of York and Lancaster ; that leuan was a Lan-
castrian, and found it necessary to abscond for a time,
when his son Davydd took care of his affairs. At that
time Ithel ab lorwerth ab Einion, brother's son to leuan
ab Einion, was constituted Sheriff of Merionethshire,
through the interest of the York party, then rampant.
Davydd ab leuan ab Einion (afterwards Governor of
Harlech Castle), a spirit ripe for any enterprise, not
relishing this favouritism, as he considered it, met his
cousin, the Sheriff, at Llandrillo Fair, and sent him to
the shades by one thrust of his glaivemore. In conse-
quence of this breach of the peace, the annual fair at
Llandrillo was put down by authority ; and so Trillo
remained without a fair for one hundred and eighty
years, when its cliarter was renewed on the application
of Morys Wynne of Crogen, Esq. It is probable that,
after this homicide, Davydd absconded, and bore arms
in France under John Duke of Bedford ; and after his
return, sticking to the same party, he accepted the
constableship of Harlech Castle."
262 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAEK GWYN,
It is to this disgraceful act that allusion is made in
the famous stoir of the four cousins, who meeting one
day together, vied with each other in recounting the
deeds of valour, as they conceived, which by their good
swords they had wrought. The first was Gruffydd
Vychan ab Gruffydd ab Einion of Cors y Gedol ; the
second, Davydd ab Jenkyn ab Davydd ab Y Crach of
Nant Conwy, whose son married the heiress of Wem
Vawr, in Lleyn ; the third, Davydd ab leuan, whose
exploit has now been told ; and the fourth, Rheinallt
ab Gruffydd ab Bleddyn of the Tower, whose feud with
the burgesses of Chester is celebrated by Lewis Glyn
Cothi. Said the second, " Lo, here the dagger with
which I slew the Red Judge on the bench at Denbigh.''
The third said, " See here the sword with which I slew
the Sheriff of Meirionydd at Llandrillo." Said the
fourth, ** Behold the sword with which I killed the
Mayor of Chester when he came with his men to burn
my house." Then it was demanded of Gruffydd what
achievement he had to boast of, and this was his me-
morable reply, " Here is my sword, with which, if I had
drawn it in dishonour, I might have equalled the best
of you ; and that will I do yet on the spot and at
the time that shall call for it.''
Davydd ab leuan ab Einion had a younger brother,
GriflSth, who married Sabel or Sibyl (the Welsh form
of Isabel), daughter of leuan ab Adda of Pengwern, in
Nantheudwy, ancestor of the Mostyn family. In the
copy of the above poem by Robert Vaughan, the Hen-
gwrt antiquary, a marginal annotation in Welsh partly
explains, from this circumstance, the obscure Une, ** To
their martyrdom went the others", on the hypothesis
that " the others'' were leuan Vychan and his brothers,
sons of leuan ab Adda, and grandsons of leuan ab
Einion ; and that their conduct was the occasion for
the composition by Gutto'r Glyn of his poem entitled
Cywydd Cymod (Ode of Reconciliation), and addressed
to leuan Vychan.^ It may be so ; but certain it is
' A passage of arms, in the shape of two Qatii'ical poems on the
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 263
that no warrant for it is afforded by the internal evi-
dence of the poem, which merely refers vaguely to some
wrong done by the bard himself to leuan Vychan,
which he confesses absolutely to be true, and for which
he entreats his forgiveness, enhancing his chances of
success by delicate flattery of leuan's accomplishments
both as a bard and as a soldier.
Nor can it be readily conceded that the interpretation
of this and other parts of the poem here translated is
so entirely figurative as Mr. Walter Davies {pace taiUi
viri) has by the very exuberance, possibly, of his genius
been led to imagine. Surely the comparisons with
Noah^s flood and the passage of the Red Sea must, it
may be thought, have had a more substantial founda-
tion in fact than was to be furnished merely by the
general course of events. Some such circumstance as,
for instance, a narrow escape from an enemy during the
passage of a military force over the Traeth Mawr or
Cors Vochno, or a morass in the mountains, or the estu-
ary of a river, in the transit of which the one party
may have been met or waylaid by the other, would
rather appear to be referred to in the metaphorical lan-
guage affected by the Welsh bards of that age, who,
with all their pretence to prophecy, were unable to
foresee how vastly their failure to delineate circum-
stances as they were, must detract from the value of
their poetry in the view of posterity. It is, however,
to be borne in mind that as poets they were not bound
to be historians, and that in writing for their contem-
poraries they were content if their allusions were in-
telligible to the objects of their praise or of their satire,
and dreamt not of posthumous fame.
We must now revert to the branch of the family in
which we are more immediately interested, that, namely,
of lorwerth, the third son of Einion, who, by the same
disposition of the vast territory of his ancestors, which
made Cors y Gedol the inheritance of his eldest brother
subject of a coracle, one by lenan Yychan, the other by Maredjdd
ap Rhys, is extant in the Hengwrt Library at Peniarth.
264 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAKN GWYN,
Gruffjdd, and Cryniarth that of his second broiiier,
leuan, made him also the " unlimited owner, in fee
simple", of Ynys Maengwyn, which then comprised also
the lands of Dolau Gwyn. We say the lands, because
we do not know, although it would seem not impro-
bable, that a house previously existed on the site of
the present one.
From him the Gwyns of Ynys y Maen Gwyn were
descended. His name does not appear among the de-
fenders of Harlech Castle, probably because he did not
survive to the time of the siege. The few notices of
him are that he was " farmer" or lessee of the Crown
revenues in the vill of Towyn, and held the office of
Rhaglot of the comot of Estimaner in 1415 ; also that
of Woodward of that comot, in 1425, for two years
only, after which we hear no more of him* His wife
was Gwenllian, daughter of-Cynwric ab Robert of
Northop, descended from Ednowain Bendew, and relict
of James Ey ton, lord of Ey ton (in the manor of Abyn-
bury, CO. Flint), tenth in descent from Elidyr, second
son of Rhys Sais, descended from Tudor Trevor. (See
Hist. Potoys Fadog, ii, p. 158.) By him she was the
mother of John Evton H6n, who was Steward of the
Lordship of Bromneld in 1477, and married to Gwen-
llian, daughter and coheiress of Einion ab Ithel of
Rhiwaedog, Esquire of the Body to John of Gaimt, in
1395, and High Sheriff of Merionethshire for life. The
connection is well accounted for by the fact that he
was the half-brother of Gwenllian's son by her second
husband, Jenkyn ab lorwerth of Ynys y Maengwyn.
He also was farmer, by lease under the Crown, of the
Mills of Keving (Cefn ?) and Caethle, and the Ferry of
Aberdovey, which doubtless at that time supplied the
readiest means of transit between Merionethshire and
Cardiganshire, and must have been to him a consider-
able source of income.
Jenkyn appears as the third in command of Harlech
Castle on its surrender to the Yorkists in 1468, which
event he is said to have survived for at least twenty-
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 265
six years. His marriage gives the first intimation of a
connection between his family and that of Nannau, his
wife being Elin, or Elliw, a daughter of GruflFydd Der-
was of Cemaes, second son of Meurig Llwyd of Nannau.
Of his son, Howel ab Jenkyn, we know only that he
died of the plague in 1494, and that he married Mary,
daughter of Sir Roger Kynaston of Hordley, Sheriff of
Salop in 1462, who succeeded Davydd ab leuan ab
Einion as Constable of Harlech Castle. Sir Roger is said
to have slain Lord Audley (whose arms he assumed) at
the battle of Bloreheath, and the Earl of Warwick at
that of Bamet, having been present also at Danesmore,
after which, it would appear from Gutto'r Glyn's poem
in his honour, he was knighted by Edward iV.
Howel ab Jenkyn left an elder son, Humphrey, whose
wife was Anne or Agnes, daughter of Sir Richard Her-
bert of Montgomery, and who died in 1545. According
to the curious illuminated pedigree of John Lloyd of
Rhiwaedog, bearing the date of 1614, by John Cain of
Oswestry (now the property of R. J. Lloyd Price, Esq.,
of Rhiwlas), Howel had another son, named Hugh;
but whether by the same mother as Humphrey does not
appear, as the interlinear space containing the notice
of her has by some one been cut clean out of the pedi-
gree. This Hugh is there stated to have had a son
named Thomas ab Hugh, Esq., who by his wife,
** Tangloyd, daughter of Thomas ab Davia, gent., de-
sended (sic) from Ednowen ab Bradwen'^ had a daugh-
ter, Jane, married to John Lloyd of Ceiswyn, Esq.,
who could have been no other than Sir John Lloyd,
stated in the History of Powys Fadog (ii, p. 391) to
have been raised to the dignity of Serjeant-at-Law in
December 1623, and knighted on the 10th January
following. Unfortunately the marriage of Sir John
Lloyd does not appear in the History. The pedigree
states that he married "Jane, daughter to Thomas ab
Hugh, Esq.," whose daughter Margaret was the wife of
John Lloyd of Rhiwaedog. But under the notice are
written in very small letters, and in a later hand, the
266 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MAEN GWYN,
words "a lie"; a statement which is confirmed by
Robert Vaughan, the antiquary (Hengwrt MS. 96), in
his pedigree of the family, which gives the name of a
different person from his wife as the mother of Thomas
ab Hugh, and other illegitimate issue.
The pedigree is on fine vellum, about 9 ft. by 2. Com-
mencing fromRhodri Mawr as the principal line, it gives,
in colours, the coat of every line of descent derived from
each maternal ancestor in succession, ranged along the
top of the parchment, with some few, where necessary,
in the middle. Having disappeared for some years,
after long lying neglected in a box of loose papers, by
a happy accident it has lately been discovered in Lon-
don, in separate sheets ; and has now been handsomely
mounted on rollers, and placed in a strong tin case for
its future security.
Humphrey ab Howel had two daughters, — Jane,
married to Gruffydd Nannau of Nannau, and Elizabeth
to Morgan ab Thomas of Crogen ; and two sons. From
the eldest, John Wyn, the Gwyns of Ynys Maengwyn
took their surname. The second was Lewis Gwyn,
who inherited Dolau Gwyn from his father, and whose
first marriage with Jane, daughter of Hugh Nannau,
and relict of Elisau, son of William Lloyd of Rhiwaedog,
gave the occasion for the following document. By her
he had a daughter and heiress, Jane (or Ann), wife of
Grufiydd Nannau, second son of Gruffydd Nannau of
Nannau, who carried the estate of Dolau Gwyn to her
husband and his descendants, in whose possession it
remained until sold by the last Sir Robert Vaughan. It
afterwards passed, by purchase, to its present owner,
John Silvester, Esq.
Elisau Lloyd of Rhiwaedog, the eldest son of Wil-
liam Lloyd by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Owain
Vaughan of Llwydiarth, Esq., died childless, and was
succeeded at Rhiwaedog by his next brother, John
Lloyd of Rhiwaedog, who married, in 1614, Margaret,
daughter of John Lloyd, Esq., of Ceiswyn, in the town-
ship of Aber Lleveni, and parish of Mallwyd, who
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU. 267
was made Serjeant-at-Law in December 1623, and
knighted on the 10th of January following. Sir John
is named by the antiquary, Robert Vaughan, as the
person deputed by some gentlemen of South Wales to
examine the papers containing their arguments to the
effect that Cadell, and not Anarawd, was the eldest
son of Rhodri Mawr, and therefore King of all Wales,
and paramount over his brethren ; his answer whereto
is the chief subject of his celebrated work entitled
British Antiquities Revived.
John Lloyd also died without issue in 1646, and the
estates were inherited by Rowland, the third brother,
whose eldest son, John, having died without issue, they
passed to the second son, Lewys Lloyd of Rhiwaedog,
who built the present house, as appears from his ini-
tial, with that of his second wife, Sidney Thelwall of
Plas y Ward, on an oblong stone let into the wall over
the front door.
The object of the following deed is to secure to Lewys
and Jane the payment by John Lloyd of an annuity of
£85 in lieu of her previous jointure (curiously spelt
" ioynctuer") ; and after the decease of Lewis to secure
to Jane " the newe house of the said Lewis Gwyn in
the p nsh of Towyn, called y Dole Gwyn/' It is note-
worthy that the names of some of the signatories to
the deed are not to be found in the pedigrees of the
respective families.
"Articles of Agreement indented concluded and signed upon
at the Towne of Bala the sixth day of Aprill 1620 between
Lewis Gwynne Esqr and John Gw'nne Esqr of thonpty (the
one party) And John Lloyd of Rhiwaedog Esqr of thother
party touching all suts controu'sies and demandes what-
soeu' between the said parties.
*' Flirst it is concluded and agreed That the said Lewis Gwynn
and Jane his wief shall at the request costs and chardges of the
said John IJoyd esqr convey yeald up syrender and release
imto the said John Lloyd all her estate right tytle loinctuer
and dower which the said Lewis and Jane in the right of the
said Jane have or ought to have in and to all the messuages
landes and tenem'ts whereof ElKsa ap William Lloyd late hus-
band of the said Jane died seised or was seised by svu'e meanes
268 RHIWAEDOG, YNYS MARN GWYN,
in lawe as by the Counsaill of the said John Uoyd shalbe de-
vised dischardged of all leases suits and incombrances whatsoev'
had made or don by them or either of them.
"Secondly it is agreed and concluded That the said John
Doyd shall upon the request costes and chardges of the said
Lewis Gwynne and Jane his wief or either of them by such
meanes in lawe (as by the Counsaill of the said Lewis Gwynn
or Jane or either of them shalbe devised) graunte one anuyty or
anual rent of fourscore and fyve poundes of Lawful! money of
England unto the said Lewis Gwynn & Jane his wief during
the lief of the said Jane And after the decease of the said
Lewis Gwynn to the said Jane for and during her lief in lewe
and steed of the ioynctuer of the said Jan[e] payable yearly at
the newe howse of the said Lewis Gwynn in the parish of Towyn
called y Dole Gwyn at the sev[er]ail ffeasts of St. Philipp and
Jacobb the Appostles and St. Michaell tharchangell by eaven
and equall porcions with a dawse for the payment of fyve
poundes of lawful mony of England nomine poenae for any de-
faulte that shalbe made of any of the said yearly paym'ts within
fower and twenty daies next after any of the said ffeasts. And
if the said rent or anuity the said fyve poundes nomine poenae
shalbe Behind or vnpaied by the space of forty daies then next
after That then from thensforth the said Lewis Gwynn and
Jane during the lief of the said Jane And after the decesse of
the said Lewis Gwynn the said Jane during her lief shall and
may enter into have hold occupy and enjoy the severall messu-
ages landes and tenements called Ceven Em'ch Gweme yr
Ewig, Trowsnant, Tuthin ddol ddyddgi, Aber y dd[w]yTavon,
y ddol Wen, Tythin Nant yr helme, Tuthin ddolveirch, Tythin
y Llayduy, Tythin yr allt Eygog, Tythin William Dauid ap
Gwylim, Havod y fenn, Tuthin y Uwyn, Havod Vawer, Tuthin
Doley, Kletur, Tv John Dauid Goch, Mayes y banadl, Glan
haves, Tire mab Eignon Sais, y tir miriog, y drill poeth, and
Tire y march gwin and all other the Landes and Tenem'ts fermly
assuered nominated or lymited by the said Elissa ap William
Lloyd to the said Jane and to her vse for and in the name of
her ioynctuer And the said John Lloyd and his heires at the
reasonable request costs & chardges in the Lawe of the said
Lewis Gwynn and Jane his wief or either of them after such
second defaulte of payment shall and will confirme convey and
assuer unto the said Jane for and during her lief all the said
ioynctuer landes and tenem'ts by such meanes on lawe as by
her Counsaill shalbe Devised or required cleerly Dischardged
from all incombraunces Don or occasioned by the said John
Lloyd (saving and excepting all such) Leases w'ch shalbe then
DOLAU GWYN, AND NANNAU,
269
in being Whervpon the greatest rent shalbe reserved that hath at
any time thenbefore ben payed or reserved for or vpon the same.
"And it is lastly agreed and concluded that cJl suits and ac-
com'ns [nowe ?] depending between the said parties shall sercesse
and be by them no further prosecuted. In wittnesse wherof
the said p'ties have herevnto interchangeably putt their hands
and seles the day and yeare first above written.
" Lewis gwyn.
" Jane nanney.
" Sealed and delivered on the presence of
R Llorgys lloid (?)
Eow^: lloyd
Edmond Lloyd
A. morress
Willm Lloyd."
" William Nannau
hugh nanney
John Lloyd
John Gwyn
V. Lloyd
R Lewys
Endorsed, " This indenture (?) betweene Lewys Gwyn & Jane
his wife & John Lloyd of Ehiwaedog^', etc.
The following table may serve to elucidate the some-
what intricate relations between the families of Dolau
Gwyn and Nannau at the time of these marriages : —
Grafh^dd Nannaa, lord of Naimaa,=
ab Howel ab Davydd ab Meurig
Vycban ab Howel Sele, descended
from Cadwgan ab Bleddyn ab Cyn-
vyn, Prince of Powys
Hugh Nannan of Nannau, Esq.
Jane, d. of Hnoipbrev
ab Howel ab lenan ab
Einion of Tnys Maen-
gwyn, descended from
Osbwm Wyddel
pAnnest, d. of Bbvs Vanghan of Cora y
Qedol, Esq.
Jane, second of » 1st, Elisan Lloyd 1 . Oraffydd Kannan of Nan-^EUen, d. of
five daagbters of Rbiwaedog, nan, Esq., n. 1568, M.P.
of Hugh Nan- ab William, Esq., for Meirionydd, 1698
nan, Esq. o. «. p. 2. Bichard Kannaa, parson
=p2ndly, Lewis Gwyn of Llangelynin
(>£ DolauGwyn, 8. Edward Kannan, ances-
tor of the Nanneys of
Esq.
(His first
wife)
Maes y Pandy, oo. Mer.
BsElizabeth, d. of Lewis
Gwyn of Dolau Gwyn,
Esq.
4. Bobert, a merchant in
London,G=Joyce, d. of
Pyrs
John ab
Cadwaladr
of Bhiwlas
inPen-
llyn, Esq.
I I 2nd son | eldest son
1. Jane Gwyn, h. — Grofl^dd Hugh Nannan of Nan- = Ann, d. of Gmflydd
of Dolau Gwyn Nannau naa, Esq., n. 22 Oct. V Vanghan of Cors
2. Ann, prima ux,ot ] 588 ; Sheriff, 1627; Gedol, Esq.
Lewis Lloyd of Bhiwaedog, Esq., ». p, ob, 1647 -8
H. W. L.
270
NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES IN THE
FOUR WELSH DIOCESES.
BT THE LiLTB
SiE STEPHEN RICHARD GLYNNE, Baet.
(Continued /rem p, 69.)
RURAL DEANERY OF BRECON.
BATTLE (ST. CYNOO).
25 April 1866.
A VERY small church, without aisle or division of
chancel, and having a small bellcot at the west end.
The east window is Perpendicular, of three lights, and
on the north of the chancel is a coarse Perpendicular
window of two lights ; all the other windows are
modern. The roof is coved and ribbed, the north door-
way plain and pointed, and near it is a large square
bowl for a stoup. The interior is pewed; the walls
whitewashed externally.*
The churchyard is confined on the south ; and the
public way is on the north. The churchyard has a
beautifiil view, including the Beacons.
LLANDDEW (ST. DAVID).
Jaly l8t, 1865.
A small, cruciform church without aisles, and with
central tower. The state of the church is truly deplor-
able. The nave only is used for service, and partitioned
ofi* by a boarded division under the west tower-arch.
The south transept is walled out, and was formerly
used as a school, wnich has now been given up for want
of funds. The north transept is dilapidated, and with-
out pavement. The chancel, though dirty and neg-
lected, is capable of being improved, and not so much
^ This church has lately been well restored by Lady Cleasby.
NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES, ETC. 271
out of repair as the rest. The chancel is really good
Early English, with the features unaltered, and well
preserved. The rest of the church may be also of Early
English origin, but the character has been much ob-
literated. The tower is low, rude, and clumsy, having
square belfry-windows and a pointed roof of tiles. It
stands upon four very plain semicircular arches which
opened to the nave, chancel, and transepts. The win-
dows of the nave are modern insertions, and there are
none on the north side. The south porch is large and
plain. The nave is pewed, and looks cold and damp.
Against the partition at the east of the nave is a
shabby chest, used as the altar. There is a lancet win-
dow, without glass, on the east side of the north tran-
sept, which is in a truly wretched condition, and con-
tains the steps to the steeple. The chancel is an
unusually good Early English specimen for Wales. It
has on each side tliree lancet windows ; that nearest
the west, on the south side, has the sill cut partly
away, forming a kind of seat. At the east end is a
triplet with hood-mouldings ; the centre light is the
highest. The south door of the chancel has a trefoil
h^d, with a hood of very good work. The roof of the
chancel is vaulted in stone. The nave has a modern
ceiling. There are hagioscopes from both transepts
into the chancel. There is a small square recess in the
east wall, and on the south a rude, pointed piscina.
Both on the north and south are stone brackets oppo-
site to each other. The font is now in the chancel, and
apparently never used. It has a large circular bowl on
a quadrangular stem, with angles chamfered, and no
base. The outer walls are whitewashed.^
LLANFIHANGEL NANT BRAN (ST. MICHAEL).
This church, in a remote and picturesque valley, but
on rising ground, presents about as lamentable an
^ The tower, transepfPi and chancel have heen restored ; the nave
awaits restoration.
272 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
appearance as can be conceived. It is a rude building,
was always devoid of architectural grace, and is in a
state of neglect and dilapidation whicn will soon render
it untenable. The plan is a nave and chancel without
architectural distinction, and a western tower. The
walls are whitewashed externally. The windows are
generally mauled or modem ; but that at the east end
is a square-headed Perpendicular one of two lights,
cinquefoiled ; and one at the south-east has two tre-
foliated lights. There is a rude porch on the south,
with plain, pointed doorways. The tower is low,
massive, and very rouffh, without buttress or string-
course, except one at tne base. At the south-east is
a square turret with slit lights. The tower has a low,
pointed roof of tiles ; the few openings are plain slits,
except the belfiy-windows on the north and east, which
are square-headed, and of two lights. The tower is
open from the ground to the roof, without floors, has
one bell, and opens to the nave by a plain, pointed
door. Within, the church has a most wretched appear-
ance. The roof is fiill of holes, and open to the tiles,
but has arched timbers with foliation above. There is
a strange, rude gallery at the west end, enclosed like
a room. The floor is oi Jy partially paved ; the benches,
however, are all open. There is a priest's door on the
south of the chancel. The altar is in a small, confined
enclosure of rails, curiously entered by a high, arched
doorway. There is a square opening in the south wall,
near the altar. Near the priest's door is a stoup. A
kind of rail parts off" the chancel. The font has a small
octagonal bowl on a stem.^
The view from the churchyard, over the vale and
woody hills, is delightftd.
MERTHYR CYNOG (ST. CYNOG).
April 25tb, 1866.
This church, within a spacious churchyard, has been
lately nicely restored, and partially rebuilt. It has the
^ This church has been restored.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 273
common arrangement, a nave and chancel undivided, a
western tower and south porch. The tower, low, plain,
and strongly built, is of an essentially Welsh make ;
almost of a military character. It has no buttress, nor
stringcourse, nor doorway. All the openings are mere
narrow slits. The battlement is rude, and under it is
a corbel-table. The roof is pointed, and covered with
tiles. It opens to the nave by a pointed doorway. The
windows of the chancel, on the north, are single
trefoil-headed lancets; on the south, one single and
one double lancet ; at the east end a triplet ; in the
nave, double lancets with trefoil -heads. Some of the
windows are new, but done quite in the spirit of the
ecclesiology of the district. The rood-screen remains
between the nave and chancel; it has plain, arched
compartments, and the vine-cornice has been restored.
There is a rude, arched piscina south of the altar. Near
the south door is a large stone stoup. The sacrarium
is large, and laid with new tiles ; the chancel stalled ;
the new seats of the nave are open, and very neat. All
the new arrangements are praiseworthy. The font has
a circular bowl on cylindrical stem.
In the churchyard are fine yew-trees.
DEVYNOCH (ST. DEVYNOO).
29 Jane 1855.
This church is above par, both in size and general
condition, as compared with those of South Wales at
large ; and the adjacent large village has an unusual
air of neatness, with several excellent, newly built
houses. The church is in a spacious cemetery. The
plan is a long nave and chancel, with a north aisle
beginning at some distance from the west, but extend-
ing quite to the east end ; a south porch, and a large
west tower. There is no dilapidation here ; and the
windows, except on the north side, have escaped muti-
lation ; but there is little beauty of architecture. The
windows are all Perpendicular ; the two at the east
end of the chancel and aisle are of four lights, and not
5th 8BR., VOL. III. 1 8
274 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
bad. On the south is one of three lights, trefoiled, but
without tracery, and rudely executed. The aisle is
divided from the body by an arcade of three wide,
pointed arches on octagonal piers with capitals. The
arches are chamfered. The roofs of the nave and aisle
are coved and paneled. The western part of the nave
is partitioned off by a gallery, and not used for service.
The tower is a good specimen of the fortress-like sort,
and very strong and massive, with a battlement and
two stringcourses, but without buttress or west door.
There is a lofty, square turret at the south-east, aJso
embattled, and rising above the parapet. The belfry-
windows are on each side, double, and plain. On the
west side are two single windows. Here there is no
corbel-table.
The churchyard is beautifiil, and foil of flowered
graves.
PENDERIN (ST. CYNOG).
June 19th, 1856.
This church is situated high, in a very large burying
ground. It has only a chancel and nave, with west
tower, and south porch, and has been much modernised.
The windows are most miserable, except that at the
east end, which is doubtfol ; of two lights, with a
lozenge above. In the porch is an octagonal stoup with
sculpture. The tower is rude, and rather small, with
battlement and corbel-table; but no buttress nor door,
and only square-headed openings for the belfry. It is
open within, quite to the roof. The font is octagonal,
upon a stem of like form. The interior is gloomy and
damp, with modern pews, but there is no ^lery.
YSTRAD FELLTE (ST. MARY).
June 28th, 1855.
The plan is a chancel and nave without aisles, and a
western tower. There is the usual deficiency of good
architecture, and, together with rudeness, a large
amount of neglect and dilapidation.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 275
The situation is most pleasing, near the river Mellte,
with its woody bank, in a scene of rural quietness, and
the churchyard contains fine yew-trees, and graves
planted with flowers.
The tower, which has escaped the whitewashing
which covers the body, is characteristic, and not dis-
pleasing, of the severe Welsh style, with a battlement
and small corbel-table under it, but with neither but-
tress nor stringcourse. The belfry-window on each
side is a plain rectangle ; the other openings merely
slits. There is the usual swelling basement, as is seen
almost throughout Wales. The chancel-arch is a very
rude, pointed one. On the south side of the chancel is
a square-headed, two-light window of Perpendicular
character ; and to the north, a single lancet of doubt-
ful age. The east window may be Decorated, but rude,
of two lights, with a diamond above them. The other
windows have been modernised, and, as not unfre-
quently occurs in Wales, are secured by outside shut-
ters. The interior is gloomy, and pewed up to the east
end. The roofe have been partially new slated. The
font has an octagonal bowl. The south porch has been
removed. On the north side are very few graves.^
CATHEDINE (ST. MICHAEL).
Jane 80th, 1855.
This church, in a beautiful situation, near Llangorse
Pool, has but a mean appearance. It consists of a
chancel and nave, with a kind of tower at the west
end, not rising higher than the nave ; and a chapel
curiously added, at right angles, on the north side, close
to the west end of the nave. The steeple, perhaps,
was intended to be higher, as it has a saddle-roof, and
scarcely equals in height that of the nave, giving a
curious appearance to the whole. On the south are
three single windows of doubtful character; on the
^ This church has been restored, bat not in a style to be com-
mended.
18*
276 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
north is but one window ; and that at the east end is
poor Perpendicular, of two lights. Some of the win-
dows have stepped cills. The church is humble enough,
and whitewashed ; but the site is very beautiful.
In the churchyard are some fine yew-trees. The out-
line of Cathedine Church is very eccentric and curious.^
LLANOORSE (ST. MICHAEL).
June 30th, 1855.
This is a rather large church for South Wales, and
has a chancel and nave, with south aisle to both, and
a western tower. The aisle is of nearly the same width
and height as the body. The arcade of the nave has
three very wide, pointed arches, with tolerable mould-
ings, on octagonal pillars with sides slightly concave,
and moulded capitals. The chaucel-arch is pointed and
rude. Between the chancel and aisle is one arch like
those of the nave. The chancel extends a little beyond
the aisle. On the south of the nave are square-headed
Perpendicular windows of two lights ; on the north
are some double windows with trefoil heads, but vary-
ing. On the north of the chancel are no windows.
There is one good Perpendicular pointed window in
the south aisle, of three lights. The east window of the
south aisle is also of this kind. The east window of
the chancel is an old one, perhaps debased. There is
a sort of rose in the upper part, beneath the label,
which is graduated, — a debased form. The font has an
octagonal bowl on cylindrical stem, attached to one of
the piers of the nave. The tower has a fair appearance,
and is not whitewashed, as the walls of the body are.
It is Perpendicular, with good battlement, divided by
two stringcourses, the base projecting in Welsh fashion.
The belfry -windows are good Perpendicular, of two
lights, with tracery ; the other openings are slits. It
has a, peal of six bells.^
^ The chancel and north transept have been restored
^ This church has been well restored.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 277
LLANHAMLECH (ST. PETER).
Jane 80, 1855.
This church, which has only a chancel and nave,
seems to have been rebuilt, except the tower and north
porch, or at least to have been entirely modernised, the
windows being all of the poorest modern Gothic. The
tower at the west end is a fair one, of Perpendicular
character ; but, as usual, without stringcourse or but-
tress, embattled, with projecting spouts at the corners.
The belfry-window, on each side, is square-headed, of
two lights ; in the other stories the apertures are mere
slits. The font has a plain octagonal bowl. The porch
is on the north side ; and on the same side of the
church, being the chief approach to it, the graves are
more numerous than on the south. ^
LLANVILLO, CO. BRECON (ST. MILLBURG).
22 AQ.&r. 1861.
This church has a nave and chancel only, with a re-
markably low and coarse western tower, and a south
porch. The exterior is very rude ; the roof tiled. The
tower looks as if it was never finished; it has a pointed,
tiled roof, and is entirely devoid of architectural charac-
ter ; it has only one slit-like opening, and no original
door. There is the trace of a Norman doorway on the
north, now closed. The arch is semicircular, and
between the tympanum and the doorcase is a horizon-
tal course of hollowed square ornament. There is the
trace of a lancet window on the north, and a new win-
dow has been introduced ; but there is not one on the
north of the chancel, and the east window is a wretched
modern one. On the south is a square-headed, two-
light, labeled. Perpendicular window. There is the
projection on the north for the rood-stairs. The roof
is coved and ribbed. Between the nave and chancel
is a rude semicircular arch ; and a pretty fair rood-loft
and screen, having paneling below the loft, and paneled
^ This church is about to be restored.
278 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
front, on the west ; also some tolerable screen-tracery,
and cornice of vine-leaves and grapes. The font has a
circular bowl on a stem, and square base.
CRICKHOWELL.
1836.
A large and rather handsome church in the shape of
a cross, and in very excellent condition ; still a good
many ugly, modern Gothic windows have been inserted,
however good the intentions. The nave has side-aisles.
The chancel is large, though without aisles. The tran-
septs have long windows, of two lights, which seem to
be Decorated. The tower rises from the centre of the
cross, and appears to be of transition character, from
Early English to Decorated. There is no battlement,
but a corbel-table imder the parapet. The belfry-
windows are single lancets, trefoiled. There is a tall,
shingled spire, an uncommon feature in Wales. The
nave is divided from the aisles on each side by three
pointed arches, the eastern of which is very wide,
springing from octagonal columns. The west window
has lost its tracery. In the wall between the south
aisle and the transept is a narrow, pointed arch, cinque-
foiled, and an elegant, canopied niche with ogee-arch,
crockets, pinnacles, and feathering. The tower is sup-
ported on four large pointed arches. The ceiling is
modern. Adjoining the north transept is a small ves-
try, which has trefoil lancet-windows with transoms.
The chancel has on each side trefoil lancet-windows.
The east window, of three lights, with mullions simply
crossing, may be early Decorated. On each side of the
chancel are two arches in the wall, for sepulchral
monuments, all well and deeply moulded. One on the
north side has a niche within it, and also the effigy of
a priest; but it is partially hidden by the more m<xlern
monument of Sir John Herbert. On the south side
one of the recesses contains the ejffigy of a cross-legged
knight with shield. There are a modern Gothic altar-
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 379
piece, neat and uniform pews, and an organ erected in
1836. The font is early, — a circular bowl on shaft of
similar form.
LLANBEDR YSTRADWY (ST. PETER).
May I9th, 1864.
This church has two equal bodies, as Llangenen
Church, with south porch, and also a tower at the
west end of the northern aisle or nave. The nave is
of four bays, the chancel of two, and the arches are
pointed, on octagonal pillars with capitals. The chancel-
arch is pointed. The roof is flat in pitch, and paneled.
On the north the windows are bad, and modern. The
two east windows are square-headed, and labeled, of
three lights. On the south is one square-headed win-
dow of four lights, of a character frequently seen in
this neighbourhood ; and one south of the chancel is of
three. The whole seems to be Perpendicular. The
exterior is whitewashed, all but the tower. There is a
priest's door on the south. The porch has an outer
doorway of Tudor character, and labeled. One window
south of the nave, of two lights, is set high in the wall.
The tower has an embattled parapet rising high at the
north-east angle ; belfry- windows of two lights, with
one stringcourse ; some slit-like openings; and neither
buttress, nor west window, nor door.
LLANGATTOCK.
This church has a west tower, nave, chancel, north
aisle, and south porch. The tower is massive but low,
with a battlement and octagonal turret at the north-
east. The west window is Perpendicular, the battle-
ment whitewashed, and the rest of dark stone. The
whole of the body is whitewashed. The porch has one
small trefoil opening. The windows are mostly Per-
pendicular, of three lights, the tracery resembling that
which is commonly seen in the Devonshire churches.
The interior is dark, and the aisle divided from the
280 NOTES ON THE OLDER CHURCHES
body by five low, plain, pointed arches upon octagonal
piers. The church is furnished with an organ. One
window is square-headed.
LLANGENEN, CO. BBECON (sT. CBNEN).
May 19. 1864.,
This church is in remarkably good condition, having
lately undergone a judicious restoration, with due
attention to preserving the original character. It con-
sists of two equal bodies, the original chancel occupy-
ing the east end of the northern ; a south porch ; and
a gabled bellcot for two bells, in open arches, over the
west end of the northern aisle. All the windows are
Perpendicular; most of them square-headed, except
that at the east of the south aisle ; varying, of two,
three, and four lights ; and one a single light, cinque-
foiled. The nave has an arcade of three pointed arches;
the chancel, one of two, with octagon pillars having capi-
tals. Between the nave and chancel is a pointed arch,
in the wall on each side of which is a hagioscope into
the chancel. The southern aisle or body is undivided
by an arch. The altar is now at the east end of the
south aisle ; this aisle has a cradle-roof; the north
chancel has a flat-ribbed roof; the seats are open ; there
is a stone reredos ; and the floor is laid with polished
tiles. There is a priest's door on the south of the
chancel. The porch is, according to the custom of the
country, very large, and has stone seats. The font has
a cylindrical bowl on a stem.
The churchyard is very beautiful, and borders on a
rapid river, and there is a new lych-gate.
LLANTHETTY (ST. DELTA).
May 20th, 1864.
A small, single-bodied church of the Welsh type,
with no distinction of chancel, has a large south porch,
and over the west end a gabled and roofed bellcot for
two bells ; the external walls are wholly whitewashed.
IN THE FOUR WELSH DIOCESES. 281
The whole seems to be Perpendicular. The east window
is Pointed, but rather small, of three lights ; the other
windows are square-headed, of two lights ; but some-
what debajsed on the north, which seem to be insertions
of a later period ; those on the south are of better
character. The roof is coved and ribbed according to
the fashion of the west of England. There is neither
west window nor door. On the south of the chancel
is a priest's door with Tudor arch and label. The inte-
rior IS pewed. The porch has stone seats. The outer
doorway has plain mouldings ; the inner doorway has
Tudor arch and continuous mouldings.
The cemetery is large, and quite lonely, close to the
Usk, and amidst the most lovely scenery of wood and
hill and dale. In it was a fine growth of wild hya-
cinths.*
* This chnrch has been restored.
(To be continued.)
282
ON A
MUTILATED WOODEN IMAGE OF THE
CRUCIFIX
FOUND IK THE CHURCH OF KEMBYS INFERIOR, MONMOUTHSHIRE ; AND ON
OTHER WOODEN IMAGES, OR PORTIONS OF SUCH, STILL
EXISTING IN THIS COUNTRY.
The introduction of images into Christian churches was
undoubtedly very ancient ; perhaps as early as, if not
anterior to, the sixth century, — a practice which met
with varied success, being more than once prohibited
by iconoclastic zeal, with destruction consequent there-
on ; nor was it finally established in the Western Church
till the middle of the ninth century.
Of early existing remains of Christian art, in relation
to imagery, are perhaps some representations on carved
diptychs, or ivory tablets, in low relief. One of these,
published by the Arundel Society, represents the Blessed
Virgin enthroned, with the infant Christ on her lap,
with an angel on each side. This is executed in a
graceful simplicity. The original plaque of ivory is
stated to be in the Kunsthammer, Berlin, and is stated
to be probably of the sixth century. The tablet is
1 1 inches in height, and 5 inches in widtL I am not
going, however, to enter into the history of image-
worsnip, but rather to say a few words on its disuse in
this country ; but the above icon, if so it may be desig-
nated, is the earliest T have met with.
Robert Wynchelsee, Archbishop of Canterbury a.d.
1294-1313, in one of his Provincial Constitutions, that
De Ecclesiis edificandis, commencing '* Ut parochiani",
amongst articles required for a church mentions " ima-
gines in ecclesia, imaginem principalem in cancello.'*
In his gloss on the former of which, Lyndwood observes,
** Imagines sanctorum que non sunt contemnende, sed
reverende'*; and of the latter, " Imaginem principalem
WOODEN IMAGE OF THE OKUCIFIX. 283
scilicet illiiis sancti ad cujus honorem ecclesia conse-
crata est."
Before I conclude I shall endeavour to adduce one or
more instances in which, as I consider, such images
have been preserved.
In the Provincial Council of Cashell, in Ireland (*' Con-
cilium Provinciale Cashelense"), held a.d. 1453, it was
enjoined that in every church there should be at least
three images, namely, of the Blessed Virgin St. Mary,
of the crucifix, and of the patron of the place in honour
of whom the church was dedicated. ** Quod in singulis
ecclesiis ad minus habeantur tres imagines, sanctae
beatse Marias virginis, sanctse crucis, et patroni loci in
cujus honorem ecclesia dedicatur."
By the royal injunctions, a.d. 1538 (<emp.Hen. VIIT),
** such feigned images as were known to be abused of
pilgrimages, or offerings of any kind made thereunto,
were, for the avoiding of idolatry, to be forthwith
taken down without delay." Under these, many images
which had been resorted to from a belief in their supe-
rior sanctity and miraculous power were destroyed.
It would appear that all the images in the churches
of the monasteries, or at least of some of them, were
sold on their dissolution. The ornaments in the church
and vestry of that of Pipe well, in Northamptonshire, a
Cistercian monastery, were sold to Sir William Parre,
Knight, on the 6th of November, 30th Henry VIII, for
£16 3s. These, amongst numerous other articles, com-
prised " one table of carved timber with great images,
one image of our Lady of Pity, one image of King
Henry (VI). In St. Nicholas Chapel, one image of
St. Nicholas ; at the Trinity altar, one image of the
Trinity ; at St. Catherine's alta^r, certain ould images ;
at St. Peters altar, one little image of Our Lady ; in
the body of the church a rood."
Amongst articles in the church of the Monastery of
Merevale, Warwickshire, sold at the dissolution, we find
enumerated six old altars with images. These pro-
duced 2s.
284 WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRDCIFIX.
In 1547, the first year of the reign of Edward VI, it
was by the royal injunctions ordered that **all images
which had been or were abused with pilgrimage, or
offerings of anything made thereunto, were, for the
avoiding of the detestable offence of idolatry, by eccle-
siastical authority, but not by that of private persons,
to be taken down and destroyed; and as to such
images which had not been abused, and which as yet
were suffered to remain, the parishioners were to be
admonished by the clergy that they served for no other
purpose but to be a remembrance whereby men might
be admonished of the holy lives and conversation of
them that the said images did represent ; which images,
if they did abuse for any other intent, they committed
idolatry in the same, to the great danger of their souls.''
In 1548 an Act was passed, intituled "An Act for
abolishing and putting away divers Books and Images."
By this it was enacted that ** Images of stone, timber,
alabaster, or earth, graven, carved, or painted, which
theretofore had been taken out of any church or chapel,
or yet stood in any church or chapel, were to be defaced
and destroyed." But even before this Act^ and in 1547,
the images in many churches were pulled down. This
is noted in a passage in the Chronicles of the Grey Friars
of London : *' Item the v day after, in September, be-
ganne the kynges yysytacion at Powlles, and alle
imagys puUyd down ; and the ix day of the same
monyth the said vysytacion was at Sent Bryddes, and
after that in dyvers other paryche churches ; and so
alle imagys puUyd downe thorough all Ynglonde att
that tyme Item the xvii day of the same money the
(November 1547), at nyghte, waa puUyd downe the
Rode (rood) in Powlles, with Mary and John, with all
the images in the churche. Item also at that same
tyme was puUyd downe thorrow alle the kynges domy-
nion, in every chinrche, alle Roddes (roods), with alle
images ; and every preacher prechyd in their sermons
agayne alle images."
Early in the reign of Queen Mary, the rood, or image
WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIX. 285
of the crucifix, was ordered to be restored to the seve-
ral churches. In Bishop Bonner's "Articles of Visita-
tion'', A.I). 1554, amongst ** Articles concerning the
Things of the Church, and Ornaments of the Church",
Article IX is as follows: *' Item whether there be a
crucifix, a rood loft, as in times past hath been accus-
tomed." And in the articles set forth by Cardinal Pole,
in 1657, to be inquired of in his diocese of Canterbury,
occurs the following : ** Whether they have a rood in
their church of a decent stature, with Mary and John,
and an Image of the Patron of the same Church."
Queen Mary died in November 1558, and was succeeded
on the throne by her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth.
Among the articles to be inquired about in the visit-
ation in the fii*st year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
A.D. 1559, the second is, "Item, whether in their
churches and chapels all images, shrines, all tables,
candlesticks, trindals, and rolls of wax, pictures, paint-
ings, and all other monuments of feigned and false
miracles, pilgrimages, idolatry, and superstition, be
removed, abolished, and destroyed." And, again, the
forty-fifth article : *' Item, whether you know any that
keep in their houses any undefaced images, tables, pic-
tures, paintings, or other monuments of feigned and
false miracles, pilgrimages, idolatry, and superstition,
and do adore them ; and especially such as have been
set up in churches, chapels, and oratories."
In allusion to the destruction of images, Machyn, in
his Diary (1559), writes as follows: "The tyme afor
Bathellmuwlyd and after was all the rodes (roods) and
Mares (and) John about London and the
XXV day of August at saint Botulph's with-owt Bys-
shyope gatt the rood Mare and John and bokes,
and ther was a felow within the chyrche mad a sermon
at the bornyng of the chyrche goodes. The xvj of
September (1559) was (the) rod (rood) and Mare and
John and Sant Magnus bornyd at the corner of Fy-
street, and other things."
Mr. Peacock, in his interesting work, English Church
286 WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIX.
Furniture, Ornaments, and DecorationSy cw exhibited in
a List of the Goods destroyed in certain Lincolnshire
Churches in 1566, states that " in the return then made
from various parishes, we find in thai from Asbye-
juxta-Sleford, * Imprimis of Images of the Rood mary
and Ihon with all other Images, burnt So iij** EHzabe-
the.' Auber : — * Imprimis the Rood Meary and John
broken and defaced in the fyrst yeare of queue Eliza-
bethe Reavnge.' Gretford : — * A rood with marie and
Johne and the Image of saincte Martine the Patrone,
w'ch were destroyed in the said ffirst yere of the
queues maiestie that now is/ "
Other returns are of a similar description, and the
images appear to have been generally burnt. These
returns were, some of them, if not all, presented at the
commandment of John Aylmer, Archdeacon of Lincoln.
When the images in our churches were directed to
be destroyed, early in the reign of Edward VI, there
appears to have been a reluctance in some cases to
comply with the mandate in its entirety. Some images
of stone or alabaster, and sculptured tables, as they
were called, of the latter material, of Scriptural or
legendary subjects, and executed in bas-relief, were in-
jured as little as possible, and buried in the church or
churchyard, with the sculptured part downwards, appa-
rently for preservation, and in hopes of a resuscitation.
Such, indeed, have from time to time, especially of late
years, been discovered, and preserved as mediaeval
relics of a past age.
But with regard to the mandates issued early in the
reign of Elizabeth, it would seem that a diflFerent feel-
ing existed, and in many instances the voluntary action
of the parishioners preceded the forthcoming mandate.
Notwithstanding these two periods of genei-al de-
struction, in a few instances images of wood (some in a
more or less state of dilapidation) have been left us.
These, of late years, have in antiquarian circles excited
considerable attention. It is, however, with one excep-
tion, that I have here confined myself to a brief de-
Th* Phototgp9 Co., 303, Strand, London.
CRUCIFIX FROM KEMEY'S INFERIOR CHUROH
WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIX. 287
scription of such images or imagery of wood, and the
remains of such, as have come under my notice.
At a meeting at Carlisle of the Royal Archaeological
Institute of Great Britaiti and Ireland, held in the
month of August 1882, was exhibited, from Cartmel
Fell, a mutilated wooden image, apparently forming ori-
ginally the central figure of the rood, St. Mary and St.
John, placed on or in front of the rood-screen or rood-
loft. The head, trunk, and legs are existing ; the arms
and feet are gone ; the only drapery consists of a loin-
cloth. The arms appear to have been extended straight
out from the shoulders, and not obliquely upwards. It
may be difficult to fix an approximate date to this
image; but I think it not earlier than the fifteenth cen-
tury, perhaps towards the close. The dimensions are
stated to be 2 feet 6 inches high in its present state.
A mutilated image of the crucifix supposed to have
formerly stood on the rood-loft in the Church of Kemeys
Inferior, Monmouthshire, is said to have been found
some thirty years ago, with a quantity of bones and
rubbish, in the blocked-up staircase leading to the
rood-loft of that church. Of this image the head and
trunk, with the arms and one foot, remain; the legs
are gone. The drapery of the loin-cloth appears arranged
in a late fashion. The arms are connected with the
shoulders by mortices and tenons. They are extended
obliquely upwards, and not in a straight line, as in more
ancient examples. By some who have examined this
relic an opinion has been formed that the arms are not
the original ones, but were supplied in the reign of
Queen Mary. This image, which, as far as I can ascer-
tain, would have measured about 3 feet in height, was
exhibited first at the Annual Meeting of the Cambrian
Archeeological Association held at Newport, Monmouth-
shire, in August 1885 ; and subsequently at a meeting
of the Society of Antiquaries held tne 25th of February
1886. It is now deposited in the Museum at Caerleon.
In Llandderfel Church, Merionethshire, North Wales,
is still existing a rudely carved wooden horse or animal.
288 WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIX.
an appendage to the once famous image of the patron
saint of the church, Dervel Gadarn ; an image to which
offerings were made, and which was taken up to Lon-
don in 1538, and consumed by fire at Smithfield.
In the little church of Bettws Gwerfyl Goch, near
Corwen, is, rudely carved on a wooden panel, in low
relief, the image of the crucifix, having on the sides the
images of St. Mary and St John. This I imagine to
have been originally affixed to or in front of the rood-
loft or screen, though some are of opinion that it has
always occupied its present position ; but I think so
small a church would hardly nave two roods with the
accompanying images. The carved panel, 4 ft. 3^ ins.
wide, by 2 ft. 3 ins. in height, is divided into five com-
partments, each about 8 ins. wide. The central com-
partment contains a rude representation of the cruci-
fix, the figure of which is very indistinct. On the
sides of the head of the cross are the words, ^*Ecce
Homcf\ In the compartment on the side next to the
crucifix is the rudely carved image of St. Mary, repre-
sented in a veiled headdress, a nimbus about the head,
and the hands folded on the breast. By the side of
this, in the outward compartment, are carved the em-
blems of the Passion, — the pincers, thorns, and nails.
On the other side of the crucifix is the image of St.
John holding his right hand to his head ; ana in the
compartment adjoining are carved the hammer, the
reed with hyssop, and the spear. The whole is a speci-
men of very rude, carved work of perhaps the early
part or middle of the sixteenth century, though there
is nothing in detail to indicate a particular date.^
Dingley, in ^n Account of the Progress of His Grace
Henry the first Duke of Beaufort through Wales, 1684,
mentions having seen in "Llanrwysf* Church thewooden
image of the crucifix belonging to the rood-loft there,
which had been removed, and though kept concealed
^ It is much to be wished that the wooden accessory in Llandder-
fel Church, and this rood, could be engraved in the Archceologia
Camhrensis,
WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIX. 289
in the church was not generally known. The following
are his words : " Over the tiinber arch of the chancell,
near the rood-loft, lieth hid the ancient figure of the
crucifixion as big as the life. This, I suppose, is shewn
to none but the curious, and rarely to them."
In 1768, in taking down the old church tower of
Mold, Flintshire, a curious image was discovered. The
vicar, a Mr. Lewis, thought it was "a relic of the Catho-
lic superstition of the former inhabitants'', and gave
orders for its destruction.
In Abergavenny Church, Monmouthshire, is a huge
wooden image, apparently that of Jesse, in a reclining
position. This appears as if part of a design such as
we sometimes meet with in painted glass windows of
the fourteenth century.
In Battlefield Church, Salop, is a wooden image of
Our Lady of Pity. This is 3 feet 9 inches in height,
carved out of a block of oak hollowed behind. The
Blessed Virgin is represented in a sitting attitude, sup-
porting on her knees and in her arms the dead boay
of Our Saviour, nude, with the exception of a loin
doth. She is attired in a gown with ample skirts, and
mantle, and her head is covered with a veil or cover-
chief falling down behind. The execution of this image
is good, but such as clearly indicates it to have been
executed in the fifteenth century. That a far greater
degree of veneration was paid to the images of Our
Lady of Pity than to other images, appeal's from a
goodly primer, published a.d. 1535, where, in "An Ad-
monition to theBeader", the practice meets with repro-
bation.
In a room adjoining St Mary's Hall, Coventry, is a
wooden image of St. George on horseback, with a sword
in his hand, combating the dragon ; the armour in
which he is represented as clad being that in use in the
reign of Henry VI, or in the midme of the fifteenth
century. From the flat surface on one side, this image
appears to have been affixed against the wall ; and it
is known to have been placed over the altar in the
5th ser., vol. III. 19
290 WOODEN IMAGE OF THE CBUCIFIX.
Chapel of St George, adjoining Gosford Gate, Coven-
try. The carving of this composition, which is not very
spirited, is 3 feet in height, and 1 foot 10 inches in
width. I presume it tx) have been the ** imago princi-
palis" of the Chapel.
There is another well-known wooden image in Coven-
try, which must, I think, have been removed from one
of the churches in that city, and was probably " a
George". It is that of an armed man. The lower arms
alone are gone. From the details of the armour and
the broad-toed soUerets, it appears not to be of earlier
date than that of the reign of Henry VII. For up-
wards of a century it has done duty as the representa-
tive of a certain " knight of the thimble", a noted
charcicter in a senseless legend connected with Coventry.
I have in my possession a smaU wooden image of a
bishop, or it may be of a mitred abbot or prior, en-
shrined, as it were, within tabernacle- work ; the whole
carved out of a solid block of oak, 3 feet 3 inches in
height. This is of the early half of the fourteenth
century, and was formerly in the church of Dunchurch,
Warwickshire, gradually rebuilt by the monks of Pipe-
well, Northamptonshire, during the fourteenth century.
It was thrust out of that church at the commencement
of the present century, when the finely carved oak sit-
tings were displaced and swept away for the incoming
of wretched deal boxes as pews. On this image are
represented the alb, stole, dalmatic, and chasuble, with
the mitre on the head, the amice about the neck, and
the maniple over the left arm. The right hand is up-
held in the act of benediction, whilst in the left is held
the pastoral staff or bourdon. How or where placed
in the church, or whom it represents, I know not.
On the floor of the tower of Collumpton Church,
Devon, there is, or recently was, carved in wood, a
representation of rockwork, with skulls, forming a Cal-
vary, being the base of the rood, with the socket or
mortice-hole in which the crucifix was fixed.
In a communication to the Society of Antiquaries,
WOODEN IMAGE OP THE CRUCIFIX. 291
made on the 1st of April 1886, Mr. J. T. Micklethwaite,
F.S.A., notices, amongst others, a large image of Our
Lady in Cawston Church, Norfolk ; and at Etchingham
Church, Sussex, an image of oak, apparently that of
Our Lady. He also notices another image of the cruci-
fix, taken from a church in Lincolnshire, the name of
which is not mentioned, which he was in hopes of being
able shortly to exhibit to that Society.
In a chapel of one of the transepts of Lincoln Cathe-
dral is the stone image of St. Giles, which is somewhat
more than the average full size, being upwards of 6 ft.
in height. This is said to have been brought from the
ruins of the Hospital of St. Giles, which stood north-
east of the Cathedral, but without the Close. Some
years ago it was lying in the cloisters, but has since
been removed to a more worthy place in the Cathedral,
and set upright. This image represents the Saint
vested as an ecclesiastic of sacerdotal rank ; in the alb
with its girdle, and the stole crossed in front of the
breast, with the extremities hanging down on each
side. About the neck appears the amice with a rich
apparel or parure ; and over all a cope is worn, fastened
in front of the breast by a morse. The arms are gone
from the elbows downwards ; otherwise the image is
fairly perfect. At the feet reposes a mutilated animal,
apparently a hind, from the hip to the shoulder of
which, and right across the flank, is an arrow. Such
is the symbol of the Saint, originating from the legend
of St. Giles, who is said to have lived in the latter part
of the seventh century. I take this to have been the
" imago principalis", placed in the chapel of the Hos-
f>ital, and as such subject at the time to veneration,
t does not appear to me to have been executed earlier
than the fifteenth century.
Matthew Holbechb Bloxam.
19
292
GLAMORGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS.
The following documents relative to the county of
Glamorgan have been selected for publication, with the
permission of Mr. I. R. Francis, from a volume depo-
sited by him in the Temporary Museum at Swansea on
the occasion of the recent visit of this Society. They
form part of a valuable collection made by his father,
Colonel G. Grant Francis, F.S.A., which is well worthy
of imitation. Elach document is laid most carefully on
a page of the book, and is accompanied with a printed
extension of the text of the original. Facilities are
thus afforded for ready reading, and for copies by an
ordinary hand.
William of St Donat's, Abbot of the Monastery of St Mary of
Neath, refers to the gift of Sir Edward Stradling to the
Monastery of an acre of land, and the advowson of the
Church of St. Donat's, and provides for the celebratiop in
the Monastery of a yearly obit on the anniversary of his
death. 20 Oct 1341, 15 Edward IIL (Francis MSB.)
" Omnibus Christi fidelibus presens scriptum visuris vel audi-
turis Frater Willelmus de Sancto Donate Abbas monasterii
beate Marie de Netk et ejusdem loci Couventus salutem in
Domino. Cum dominus Edwardus de Stradelyngh* miles domi-
nus de Sancto Donate Anglicano nuper nos per cartam suam
feoffavit de una acra terre in dicta villa de Sancto Donate simul
cum advocacione ecclesie ejusdem ville prout in carta predicta
domini Edwardi nobis inde confecta plenius continetur. Nos
volentes super hoc vicem pro vice reddere salutarem concedi-
^ Sir Edward Stradling, Knt, of St. Donat's, was son and heir
to Sir Peter Stradling, and married Elena or Eleanor, daughter of
Sir Gilbert Stradling. He was sncceeded by his son Edward, who
represented the conuty of Somerset in Parliament, 17 Edward III;
and by his marriage with Gwenllian, daughter of Sir Roger Berke-
rone, acquired the lordship of East Orchard in the county of Glamor-
^n. (Wootton's Engliih Baro7iets, 1727, and Burke's Exiwct
Baro7ietcie8.)
GLAMORGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS. 293
mus eidem domino Edwardo pro nobis et successoribus nostria
quod ipse et £lena consors ejns et omnes liberi eorum de cetero
fiant participes omnium bonorum spiritualium que fient in mo-
nasterio nostro eidem domino Edwardo quod anniversarium
ipsius post decessum suum fiet in monasterio nostro de Neth de
anno in annum die obitus sui vel proximo die sequente quo
commodius fieri poterit sine ordinis nostri offensione adeo solemp-
niter et devote sicut anniversarium alicujus Abbatis domus
predicte per nos fieri solebat secundum Ordinis constitucionem
Ad quod quidem anniversarium de anno in annum ut premitti-
tur fideliter faciendum obligamus nos et successores nostros ter-
ras et tenementa bona et catalla nostra districtione et cohercione
cujuscunque judicis ecclesiastici seu secularis inperpetuum. Et
si contingat nos vel successores nostros de predicto anniversario
de anno in annum faciendo cessare quod absit volumus et con-
cedimus pro nobis et successoribus nostris teneri et obligari
heredibus dicti domini Edwardi in centum solidis argenti nomine
puri debiti et in aliis centum solidis domino Gladmorgan qui
pro tempore fuit Solvendis eisdem heredibus et domino infra
mensem apud Sanctum Donatum postquam cessaverimus a cele-
bracione anniversarii supradicti et de hoc rite convicti fuerimus
coram aliquo de judicibus memoratis quem iidem heredes vel
aliquis eorum dixerit seu dixerint eligendo cujus jurisdictioni
coercioni districtioni submittimus nos in hac parte hac obligaci-
one penali semper rata manente. In cujus rei testimonium
sigillum nostrum una cum sigillo Conventus nostri predicti pre-
senti scripto sunt appensa. Hiis testibus domino Gilberto de
Turbervill Henrico de Umframvill Eogero de Berkerole Johanne
de Avene Johanne de Langeton militibus Johanne le Norreys
Matho le Soer Johanne de Anne Johanne clerico de Lanyltwyt
Johanne le Ware Johanne de la Broke Johanne Clement Hen-
rico Ffaukons et aliis. Datum apud monasterium nostrum pre-
dictum vicesimo die mensis Octobris anno domini millesimo tre-
centesimo quadragesimo primo et anno r^ni S^s Edwardi
tercii post conquestum quinto decimo.
" Dorso. Copia de oracionibus faciendis per Abbatem de
Neth.'^
Copy, under the seal of the Chancery, of the inquisitions taken
in Gower in 1^97, after the deaths of John de la Bere of
Webbely Castle ; of Ehys ap Griffith, Knt, of Penrees and
Porteynon ; and of John Clement of Pennard. (Francis
MSS., p. 21.)
" luquisitiones capte apud Swonesey coram Johanne Seint
John militi Senescallo terre de Gower die Lune proximo post
294 GLAM0RQAN8H1RE DOCUMENTS.
festum Sancti Davidis anno regni Regis Ricardi secundi post con-
questum vicesimo per sacramentum Ricardi Vernon militis
Thome Denys militis Morgani Penrees Ricardi Maunsell Johan-
nis Cady Johannis Aas Roberti Thomas de Landymor Davidis
Gogh Roberti de la Mare Willelmi Aas Thome Jorum (?) et
Johannis Gryffyth qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod
quidam Johamies de la Bere chivaler qui de domino tenuit cas-
trum de Wehbely cum pertinentiis per servicium militare obiit
inde seisitus in dominico suo ut de feodo. £t dicunt quod obiit
die dominica proximo post festum Sancti Mathei apostoli anno
regni Regis Ricardi predicti terciodecimo Et dicunt quod pre-
dictum castrum cum pertinentiis valet in omnibus exitibus juxta
verum valorem ejusdem per annum decem marcas. Et d&cunt
quod Johannes de la Bere est filius et heres predicti Johannis
de la Bere chivaler propinquior et fuit etatis xv. annorum ad
festum Sancti Michaelis ultimo preteritum non maritatus.
" Et dicunt quod Thomas Comes Warrewyk exitus et proficua
dicti Castri cum pertinentiis provenientia a die obitus dicti
Johannis de la Bere militis usque diem capcionis hujus Inqui-
sitionis occupavit et percepit quo titulo ignorant. Item dicunt
quod Rees ap Gruffad Chivaler tenuit in dominico suo et de
feodo die quo obiit videlicet circa xvii annos elapsos de domino
per servicium militare maneria de Penrees et Porteagnon et Ag*
non que valent per annum in omnibus exitibus juxta verum
valorem eorundem xxx libras. Et dicunt quod predictus Comes
exitus et proficua inde proveniencia a die mortis predicti Rees
usque diem capcionis hujus Inquisitionis tenuit quo titulo
ignorant. Et dicunt quod Thomas ap Rees est filius et heres
ejusdem Rees propinquior et fuit aetatis xix annorum die Mer-
curii proximo post festiun Penticostis ultimo preterito non mari-
tatus.
** Item dicunt quod Johannes Clement tenuit in dominico suo
ut de feodo die quo obiit de domino per servicium militare sex
acras terre cum pertinentiis in Pennarth que valent per annum
in omnibus exitibus per annum iiii& Et dicunt quod Johannes
Clement est filius et heres predicti Johannis Clement propinquior
et etatis ix annorum. In cujus rei testimonium predicti jurato-
res presenti sigilla sua [apposuerunt].
" Data die loco et anno supradictis.
"Data apud Sweyneseye per copiam sub sigillo Cancellarii
nostri Gouheiie xxiv™*' de Julii anno regni Regis Ricardi secundi
post conquestum vicesimo secundo.
"[Inquisitio capta 5^ Mart 1397.]'*
GLAMORGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS. 295
Grant by Alice Charles, relict of William de Lamare, to Edward
Stradlyng, of a moiety of a burgage tenement in Swansea.
20 March, 3 Henry IV, 1402. (Francis MSS., p. 23.)
** Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Alicia Charles relicta
Willielmi de Lameare dedi concessi et hac presenti carta mea
confirmavi Edtaardo de Stradlyng^ medietatem unius bui-gagii
jacentis in villa de Sweynesey inter tenementum Walteri David
ex parte una et tenementum Willelmi Skynner e parte altera
cujus finis extendit se super aquam de Tawy et altera finis super
altam stratam et unam acram terre et dimidiam jacentem in les
Kedynge de Sweynesey inter terram Willielmi Taillor ex parte
una et terram Johannis Horton ex altera parte. Habendum et
tenendum predicto Edwardo heredibus et assignatis suis imper-
petuum faciendo capitali domino feodi illius redditus et servicia
inde debita et de jure consueta. Et ego vero predicta Alicia et
heredes mei predictam medietatem burgagii et unam acram terre
et dimidiam cum pertinenciis predicto Edwardo heredibus et
assignatis suis contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et in perpe-
tuum defendemus. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte
mee sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus Willielmo de Strad-
lyng militi tunc Senescallo Gouherie Ricardo Hott tunc prepo-
sito ville de Sweynesey Johanne Horton Thoma ap Eees Johanne
Bount et multis aliis.
"Data apud Sweynesey vicesimo die mensis Martii anno
regni Regis Henrici quarti post conquestum tercio.*'
Laurence de Berkrolles, Knt., appoints John Stradlyng his
attorney, to deliver seisin to John Machon and others of
lands granted by him. 1 Oct. 13 Henry IV, 1411. (Fran-
cis MSS., p. 25.)
" Noverint universi per preeentes me Laurencium Berkrolles
militem domiDum de Caytyff ordmdLaae constituisse fecisse et in
looo meo jKWuisse dilectum in Christo Johannem Stradlyng
meum verum et fidelem attornatum ad deliberandum plenam et
pacificam seisinam Johanni Machen Johanni ap Willym Vechan
capellanis et Johanni Thomas de Coytytt* de omnibus terris et
tenementis pratis boscis pasturis et vastis cum pertinentiis voca-
tis Lawrenceyslond que quondam magister Lawrencius de Tur-
berville ienuit infra dominium de Coy tyfif prout in quadam carta
inde eis confecta plenius continetur rata habiturum et grata
* The second Sir Edward Stradling, before referred to, who is
stated to have died 9 Henry IV.
296 OLXMOBGANSHIR£ DOCUMENTS.
quicquid idem Johanoes Stradlyng nomine meo fecit in piemis-
8is. In cujus rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum appo-
suL
** Datum apud Coytyflf primo die Octobris anno regni Regis
Henrici quarti post conquestum tertiodecimo."
Grant by Lawrence BerkerouU, Knt, lord of the manor of Coy-
tiff, to John Machon and others of lands in that manor.
1 October, 13 Henry II, 1411. (Francis MSS., p. 26.)
" Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Laurencius de BerkerouU
miles dominus de Coytiff dedi concessi et hac presenti carta
mea confirmavi Johanni Machon Johanni ap Wyllym Vaghan
capellanis et Johanni Thome de Coytiff onmia terras et tene-
menta prata boscas pasturas et vasta cum onmibus suis perti-
neuciis vocatis Laurenceydond que magister Lavrendvs de Tur-
berville quondam persona ecclesie de Coychourch tenuit infra
dominium de Coytiff. Habendum et tenendum omnia predicta
terras et tenementa prata boscos et vasta cum omnibus suis per-
tinenciis predictis Johanni Machon et Johanni ap Wylljrm
Vaghan capellanis et Johanni Thomas heredibus et assignatis
suis imperpetuum de capitali domino feodi illius per redditus et
servicia inde prius debita et de jure consueta Et ego vero pre-
dictus Laurencius BerkerouU miles dominus de Coytiff et here-
des mei omnia predicta terras et tenementa prata boscos pastu-
ras et vastas cum omnibus suis pertinenciis predicto Johanni
Machon Johanni ap Wyllym Vaghan capellanis et Johanni
Thomas heredibus suis et assignatis contra omnes gentes waran-
tizabimus. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte mee
sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus Gilberto Denys milite
Johanne le Eyr juniore Johanne Bonevill et aliis.
" Data apud Coytiff primo die Octobris anno regni Regis Hen-
rici quarti post conquestum terciodecimo.**
Grant by John Stradlyng, Knt., to leuan ap David ap Gwyllym
of lands in Coyty at a yearly rent, and subject to a heriot
on death. 30 May, 5 Henry VI, 1427. (Francis MSS.,
p. 32.)
" Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum inden-
tatum pervenerit Johannes^ Stradlyng miles salutem in domino
sempiternam. Noveritis me dedisse concessisse et hoc presenti
scripto meo indentato confirmasse Jevan ap David ap Gwyllym
^ No mention of this John is made by Wootton or Burke.
OLAMOBOAHSHIRB DOCUMENTS. 297
duas acras et dimidiam terre cum pertinenciis in Coitifi vocate
Potteris Lond in parte orientali alte vie vocate Uptoun Wey.
Habendum et tenendum predictas duas acras et dimidiam terre
cum pertinenciis prefato Jevan heredibus et assignatis suis im-
perpetuum de capitalibus dominis feodi illius per redditus et
servicia inde debita et consueta et reddendo michi heredibus et
assignatis meis viginti unum denarios ad festum Sancti Michae-
lis annuatim et quinque solidos nomine herietti post decessum
dicti Jevan her^um vel assignatorum suorum vel tale heriet-
tum cum acciderit super tres acras terre quas ego Johannes
habui de dicto Jevan in novo clauso meo per quandbun finem in
Curia de Coitiff levatam. £t omnia talia consuetudines et ser-
vicia debita super dictas tres acras terre cum acciderint Et si
contingat dicti viginti unum denarii vel quinque solidi nomine
herietti vel heriettum consuetudines et servicia prenominata
aretro sint insoluti vel non facta ad tempus et terminos usuales
ex tunc bene liceat michi predicto Johanni heredibus et assig-
natis meis pro eisdem distringere in predictis duabus acris terre
cam pertinenciis et districtiones retinere quousque de eisdem
michi heredibus vel assignatis meis plenarie satisfactum fuerit
Proviso tamen quod ego predictus Johannes pro me heredibus
et assignatis meis volo et concede per preseiitcs quod si predic-
tus Jevan heredes sen eorum assignati solvant et faciant reddi-
tus heriettum consuetudines et servicia domino de Coitiff debi-
tos sen debendos de tribus acris terre pro me Johanne heredibus
et assignatis meis quas habui ex concessione dicti Jevan per
quandam finem inter nos levatam quod tunc predictus red-
ditus viginti unum denariorum quinque solidorum nomine heri-
ette vel herietum consuetudines et servicia prenominata super
dictas duas acras et dimidiam terre onerata omnino medio tem-
pore cessent alioquin stent in suo robore et effectu et sic tociens
quociens Et ego vero predictus Johannes et heredes mei pre-
dictas duas acras et dimidiam terre cum pertinenciis prefato
Jevan [ap David ap Gwyllym] suis contra omnes gentes
warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium pre-
senti scripto indentato partes predicte sigilla sua altematim
apposuenint. Hiis testibus Gilberto Turberville Johanne Eyre
David Mathewe et aliis.
"" Datum ultimo die Maii anno r^ni K^s Henrici Sexti post
conquestum quinto.**
Lease of the manor of Coitiffe, or West Place, for thirty years
from John Stradling of Merthyrmawr, Esq., to Edmund
Stradling. 12 June, 20 Edward IV, 1480. (Francis MSS.,
p. 39.)
" Hec indentura facta duodecimo die Junii anno regni Regis,
298 GLAMOBGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS.
Edwardi quarti post conquestum vicesimo inter JoJiannem Strode
lyng de Merthirmawre armigerum et JBdmundum Stradlyng
filium Edmundi Stradlyng annigeri testatur quod predictus Ed-
mundus tradidit et ad firmam dimisit prefato Johanni Stradling
manerium suum de CoUiffe aliter dictum West Place cum omni-
bus terns et tenementis infra manerium predictum que vel quod
nuper fuit Johannis Stradljmg militis infra dominium de Coi-
tiffe Habendum et tenendum predictum manerium cum suis
pertinentiis prefato Johanni Stradling et assignatis suis ad ter-
ininum triginta annorum Beddendo inde per annum prefato
Edmundo heredibus et assignatis suis quadraginta solidos bone
et legalis monete Anglie ad festum Sancti Michaelis Archangel!
tantum, Et si contingat predictos tunc bene licebit pre-
fato Edmundo in manerium predictum intrare et distringere
distringcionesque sic captas licite asportare effugare et penes
se retinere quousque de redditu predicto et ejus arreragiis
si que fuerint sibi plenarie fuerit persolutus et satisfactus. Et
predictus Johannes Stradling et assignati sui manerium predic-
tum cum omnibus edificiis ibidem et ad tempus dimissionis pre-
dicte stantibus ac situatis gardinis fossis vivariis aquariis stag-
nis et cum ceteris suis pertinenciis bene et sufficienter repara-
bunt sustentabunt et manutenebunt sumptibus suis propriis et
expensis durante termino supradicto. Et ulterius predictus
Johannes Stradling et assignati sui omnes convenciones ac omnia
et singula infrascripta in partibus suis in forma predicta bene
et fideliter tenebunt et perimplebunt sub pena forisfacture ter-
mini predicti hiis indenturis in aliquo seu aliquibus non obstan-
tibus. Proviso semper quod prefatus Johannes Stradling et
assignati sui durante termino predicto teneat vel teneant per se
vel suflScientem deputatum suum seu per sufficientes deputatos
curiam predicti Edmundi vel ejus heredum apud Calwynstauj
secundum usum et consuetudinem ibidem usitatum singuUs
temporibus debitis et consuetis. In cujus rei testimonium partes
predicti hiis indentaris sigiUa sua altematim apposuerunt dicto
die et anno supradicto."
Grant by Sir Edward Stradljmg, Knt., to Cardinal Beaufort and
others, of the manor of I^nfey, in the lordship of Ogmore.
1 April, 7 Henry VI, 1429. (Francis MSS., p. 31.)
"Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presentes litere inden-
tate pervenerint jEdi^arrfiw Straddyng^ miles salutem in domino.
^ Sir Edward Stradling accompanied his father. Sir William, to
the Holy Sepulchre, and was made, with him, Knight of that Order
in tlio beginning of the reign of Henry VI. He married Jane,
daughter of Cardinal Beaufort.
OLAMOBGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS. 299
Noveritis me dedisse concessisse et per presentes confirmasse
Henrico Beauford dei gratia Cardinali Anglic que Wyntoniend
Episcopo Morgana ap Jankgn Kemmys et Thome Lyddyn mane-
rium meum de Lanfey cum pertinentiia infra dominium de Og-
more quatuor carucatas terre viginti quinque acras et dimidiam
prati centum acras terre arabilis tres acras bosci viginti quatuor
acras pasture sexaginta acras vasti et sexaginta solidos annui
redditus. Habendum et tenendum omnia predicta manerium
cum pertinentiis quatuor carucatas terre viginti quinque apras
et dimidiam prati centum acras terre arabilis tres acras bosci
viginti quatuor acras pasture sexaginta acras vasti et sexaginta
solidos annui redditus prefatis Cardinali Morgano et Thome
heredibus et assignatis suis imperpetuum de capitalibus dominis
feodorum illorum per redditus et servicia inde debita et con-
sueta. Et ego vero predictus Edwardus et beredes mei omnia
predicta manerium cum pertinentiis quatuor carucatas terre
viginti quinque acras et dimidiam prati centum acras terre ara-
bilis tres acras bosci viginti quatuor acras ^ture sexaginta
acras vasti et sexaginta solidos annui redditus ut predictum est
prefatis Cardinali Morgano et Thome heredibus et assignatis
suis contra omnes gentes warantizabimus acquietabimus et im-
perpetuum defendemus per presentes. In cujus rei testimonium
huic presenti carte mee indentate sigillum meum apposuL Hiis
testibus Johanne Seynt John milite Thoma Malyfant seniore Jo-
hanne le Eire WillielmoFlemyng Thoma Xerber armigeris et aliis.
" Data prime die Aprilis anno regni Eegis Henrici Sexti post
conquestum Anglie septimo/'
Proclamation of King Charles by the Portreeve of Swansea.
(Francis MSS., p. 64.)
** Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call out of this
mortal life our late loving Sovereign King James of most happy
memory, unto whose royal Sceptre and Diadem of Gt Britain
and Ireland, with all the rest of his Dominions, the most high
and mighty Prince Charles, his dear son, is the sole, true, and
undoubted Heir and Lawful Successor, We, his most faithful
and loving subjects, the Portreeve, Aldermen, and inhabitants
of this Tovm and Hundred of Swansea now present, do with joy-
ful Hearts and Unanimity, according to our Duties in this be-
half, declare and proclaim our now loving Sovereign King
Charles to be, by the Grace of God, King of Gt. Britain, France,
and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, whose happy reign may
God long preserve. — Ood save King Charles.
" This was proclaimed in the Market Place Anno Domini 1625.
" Walter Thomas, Esq., Steward,
" Henry Flemming, Portreeve.*^
300 GLAM0RGAN8HIRB DOCUMEKTS.
(Francis MSS.)
" To the most Honorable Henry Marquesse of Worcester,^ Lord
President of Wales and the Marches thereof, and Lord
Lieutenant of the same, one of his Majesty's most honor-
able Privy Councill, and Knight of the most noble order
of the Garter.
'*The humble peticon of severall of the Alderjnen and most of
the Burgesses of the Towne of Swanzey in the County
of Glamorgan,
" Humbly Sheweth
" That the said Town of Swanzey is a Towne Corporate, And
has its commencement by severall Grants and Charters, And in
particular by a Grant made to the said Towne (above 370 Years
since) by William de Brews (then Lord of Gower), betweene
whom and the said Towne there had beene some misunder-
standing concerning their privileges. And then the said Williani
de Brews (whose Kight is devolved to your Lordship by the said
Grant) confirmed the ancient Lawes and Customes of the said
Towne of Swanzey, observed and granted to them in the time
of his progenitor, and obliged himself, his Heirs and Assigns for
ever, That nothing contrary thereunto should bee imposed on
the Burgesses of the said Towne of Swanzey. And that under
the penalty of 500W. to the Lord o' King, and 500 marks to the
Burgesses of the said Towne, to be paid as often as the privi-
leges of the said Burgesses, or any part thereof, should be vio-
lated or infringed upon by his Loniship or Steward. That it
was enacted by a Statute made in the 34 and 35 of H. 8, That
the Major, BaiUflFs, and other head officers of Corporate Towns
in Wales might hold pleas and doe every other thing according
to their Lawfull Grant and laudable Customs of such Towns.
And that Aldermen of the said Towne of Swanzey, time out of
mind, were elected by the major vote of the Burgesses at their
Comon Halls appointed for that purpose, and that Forraigners
were ever excluded from being Aldermen or Burgesses. And
such as were not Burgesses sons, or had not served as appren-
tices (although living and inhabiting in the said Towne), paid
moneys for their freedome, which has in time got the Towne
some hundreds of pounds towai'ds the maintaining of the poor
and other public uses. That the Burgesses of the said Towne
^ Henry Somerset, summoned to Parliament as Lord Herbert of
Chepstow, 1 James, 1603; created Marquess of Worcester, 2 Nov.
1642 ; died in 1646.
GLAMORGANSHIRE DOCUMENTS. 301
doe subscribe to an Immunity from appearing at every Court
Baron^
And now men of broken and profligate fortune in the said
Towne, and other your Lordship's Courts, are sworne of Juryes.
And if they doe not find as they are directed by your Lordship
Stewards, they are overawed and threatened to be fined, which
(as your petitioners are advised) is contrary to law.
" That youre lordships present stewards, without and against
the consent of the greatest number of the Burgesses of the said
Towne, doe elect Aldermen and Burgesses who do neither inha-
bit in the said Towne nor pay Scott and Lott, and without pay-
ing any ffine for their freedomes, the said Burgesses being not
8ufrej*ed (by your Lordship's present stewards) to speak for their
privUeges, but advised and threatened with unseemly words
and carriages towards them, which is contrary to their Grant
and ancient Customs.
" That your Petitioners, during the time of the Law Suits
betweene your Lord'p and the Lady Marchionesse Dowager of
Worcester, did espouse your Lordships interest, and therefore
doe pretend to your Lordships favour and protection. That
your petitioners are unwilling to appeal to any other judicature
for redresse but to yoiur honour.
" May it please y"^ Lordship to take these premises into your
wise and worthy consideration, and to Give Order for the Eecty-
fying of the Irregular Proceedings of the Election of Aldermen
and Burgesses for the said Towne, and to redresse your Peti-
tioners said grievances, and your Petitioners shall pray, &c.
"And remain Your Lordshipps Humble Servants in the behalf
of our selves and all the Eest of our Fellow Burgesses.
" Eobt. Jones Thomas Hopkins
John Howell James Eoberts
Hopkin Johnes Will. Morgan
Edwd. Williams Math. Davies
Morgan Harrison John Jones
Antony Jones."
^ Two lines taken up in the binding.
302
SWANSEA CASTLE.^
{Read at the Swansea Meeting, 1886.)
There is something about this old pile unusually re-
raarkable. The Castle of Swansea is one of our proudest
monuments, and in days past had a very remarkable
history ; one peculiarly interesting, for local history
links itself with national history.
The first building of a castle at this place, of which
we have any historic record, was subsequent to the Nor-
^ Mr. Capper ezproFsed his great indebtedness to the researches
of the late Colonel Grant Francis for the main points.
SWANSEA CASTLE. 303
man conquest, and is attributed to Henry Beaumont of
Newbu^h in Normandy, and Earl of Warwick in Eng-
land. He held large possessions in Gower, and also
built the first Castle of Oystermouth. A castle was
undoubtedly built on this site about that period, as
there is historic evidence that its outworks were
destroyed, but not the Castle now about to be de-
scribed.
The Castle as it now stands was built by a Swansea
man of uncommon energy and ability, Henry de Gower,
who took his name from the district. The rich, open
parapet could formerly be seen from the Railway cross-
ing at the east end of the Strand, forming a pretty
picture looked at through the brickwork of the arch of ■
the Swansea and Neath Railway as it crosses that
street ; but the erection of a large warehouse in the
Strand has completely blocked it out. There was a
north entrance into the area surrounding the Castle,
called ** Harold 8 Gate", protected by two towers situ-
ated at the junction of Castle Bailey Street and High
Street. A postern on the eastern side formed a sally-
port, leading, by a covered way beneath Worcester
House, to the present Wellesme Lane, and so down to
the Strand, at the end of a fosse or dry ditch which
Colonel Francis had seen in existence, though then
filled up, at the corner of the Bane Caer at the top of
Goat Street. This was at the exit of Bailey Street
into Castle Square, over which was formerly a bridge
leading to the gate, and flanked by round towers, one
of which still exists, frowning above the butcher's shop
M'here stands the block placed there by His Grace the
Duke of Beaufort for the convenience of the towns-
people. The postern clearly led to the steps in the
town-float, which were closed a short time ago, and by
those living on the quays were called the " Castle
Steps."
On making the town-sewer, a few years since, very
strong concrete foundations had to be cut through.
304 SWANSEA CASTLE.
The area included by the lines described is about fif-
teen acres, or about half that used at Caerphilly, and
perhaps ten times as much as the surface covered by
Oyst^rmouth Castle.
Henry de Gower, the builder of this Castle, was born
m the latter part of the thirteenth century, somewhere
about 1290, and was brought up as an ecclesiastic. He
became Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and
was appointed Bishop of St. David's in 1328.
During the period of the three Edwards castles seem
to have sprung up like poppies all over this land. When
Edward 1 conquered Wales, the hosts of Normans who
fought under him, and were determined to keep what
' they had overcome, built great castles for their own
protection, and erected in this wise centres of security
for themselves and their retainers. Edward III was
no less a castle-builder than his two predecessors had
been, and he had the renowned William of Wykeham
for his master of works. William of Wykeham and
Henry of Gower were somewhat alike in the course
they adopted in life. They were both learned ecclesi-
astics, both men of great taste, and both have left
beautiful specimens of their architectural skill to pos-
terity. The chief works of Gower were the Palaces of
St. David's and Lamphey, and the Castle of Swansea,
each of which shows his genius and love of art in the
beautiful arcading which is a chief feature of all his
work.
Colonel Francis has shown approximately how De
Gower, though a Bishop, became possessed of Swansea
Castle. The owner in the time of Edward II was a
son-in-law of Lord William de Breose, the last of the
great barons of that name, who had large possessions
at Brember in Sussex, and also in Gower, of which
latter lordship the Castle of Swansea was the caput
haronicB. This De Breose was a terrible character :
there was no act too dreadful, and no wickedness too
great for him to commit in his numerous quarrels. He
had a daughter and heiress named Alina or Alinoni,
SWANSEA CASTLE. 305
who married John de Mowbray, one of the chief nobles
of the tirae of Edward II. When De Mowbray quar-
relled with his King, the family lost all their estates,
after the battle of Borough Bridge, in the year 1322.
They had taken up the cause of the Lancastrian party,
and when that faction was overturned, his head was
cut off at York, and his family were reduced to abject
poverty. Alina and her child were almost starved,
whilst her vast possessions were confiscated to the
King.
After the fashion of that d:iy, immediately it was
known that De Mowbray had been despatched, some
favourite of Edward's came forward, and made applica-
tion for the lands ; and Swansea Castle then came, Mr.
Grant-Francis believed, into the hands of Henry de
Gower, though it cannot be stated authoritatively.
Great forethought in the selection of the donee had
always to be exercised, so as to secure the Castle to the
King's side, and as to how the donee might behave
towards the donor. De Gower, being a Bishop, could
have no issue male or descendant, and would therefore
be a safe person to whom to entrust the property. Be
that, however, as it may, the Castle changed hands.
Mr. Grant- Francis searched in vain in the Record Office
for any direct evidence of such a grant to De Gower, but
it is unquestionable that he reconstructed the Castle.
Whence he got the money is not easily answered. The
seal of Henry de Gower, Mr. Grant- Francis found in
the Office of the Duchy of Lancaster, in London, whilst
searching for materials for the history of Swansea. It
is graceful in design, and exquisite in execution.
One of the peculiarities of De Gower in the building
of his great works, was his quatrefoil or four-leaved
floral ornament; his ogee-moulding was distinctive also;
and within the building of the great hall (now used as
a drill-room by the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers)
there are arches which can be clearly identified as of
his tirae. There must have been strong foes, hard
fights, and violent deaths, from time to time in this
5th 8BB., YOL. III. 20
306 SWANSEA CASTLE.
Castle. Fifteen skeletons were excavated within the
old precincts when the new Post Ofl&ce was built.
Swansea was once a walled town ; and Mr. Grant-
Francis obtained evidence of grants made by two of the
Edwards authorising the Corporation to raise money for
the purpose of building and repairing the walls. Sutton
stone was used for the quoins, mouldings, and orna-
mentation of the work. The same stone was also used
at Neath Abbey, where the mouldings are still as sharp
and true as when they left the hands of the masons
ages ago. No doubt the Normans had succeeded in
discovering the secret of getting and using the very
best stone of the district, — stone that retains the mark
of the chisel five hundred years. It was at one time
proposed to build the Houses of Parliament with this
stone ; but Sir Henry de la Beche, who was sent down
to examine the quarries as to quantity, reported that
there was not sufficient stone remaining for the erec-
tion of so extensive a structure. This was a very un-
fortunate fact, as the Yorkshire stone of which the pre-
sent Houses have been built is already perishing, and
has frequently to be renewed.
Amongst the remarkable things that have been re-
corded about the history of Swansea, perhaps the most
remarkable of all was the flight of Edward II, King of
England, from the hostile faction in the state, headed
by his wife Isabella, who was called the "She Wolf of
France." Edward came into this part of the country ;
and there is evidence to show that when he started on
his flight he was accompanied by many of the officers
of his household, who brought with them the Great
Seal of England, and twelve bags full of the documents
of the kingdom, together with a large quantity of silver
plate and costly equipments. In coming to Swansea
ne intended to proceed to Lundy Island ; and these
valuables were of course deposited in the local strong-
hold, Swansea Gastle, whilst the King waited for fair
weather to set sail. Favourable winds, however, did
not blow ; and after waiting some days, the King con-
SWANSEA CASTLE. 307
tinued his flight through Neath Abbey to Ledbury.
The sacks of national records and valuables were left in
Swansea Castle, from which it appeared they were
afterwards purloined by the people of the district, who
ought certainly to have known and behaved better.
Some years ago the late Dr. Nichol came across some
of the parchments, five centuries old, which some poor
patients asked him to accept as a token of their appre-
ciation of his services, as they had no money to pay his
fee. The small oaken box containing the parchments
they looked upon as somewhat of a curiosity. It con-
tained the original contract between Edward, as Prince
of Wales (afterwards Edward II), and Isabella, Princess
of France. This box and original record are preserved
in the Town Museum. It will be remembered that
Edward was afterwards taken, and murdered at Berke-
ley.
At the last Meeting Mr. Hartshome gave some inte-
resting facts of this flight, and he stated that he had
ascertained from records that the King left Tintem
about the middle of October 1326, passing through
Chepstow on his way to Caerphilly. On the 4th of
November he was at Margam, and on the 5th to the
7th at Neath, and was probably at Swansea between
the 7th and the 15th. He was taken at Llantrisant
on the 20th, resigned the Great Seal at Monmouth to
Sir William Blount, and on the 28th he was at Led-
bury. There is a pass from that Monarch to the Abbot
of Neath in the South Wales Museum.
R. Capper, F.R.G.S.
20"
308
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS.
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES H
(Continued from p. 233.^
Llotd, Jenkin, elk., M.A., rector of Langojdmore, oo. Cardigan.
Westm., 25 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 433.)
„ Jenkin, elk., reetor of De la Vernach, St David's dioc.
Westm., 10 Aug. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 166.)
„ John, elk., M.A., rector of Llan8annam,co. Denbigh. Westm.,
22 June. (12 Chas. U, p. 1, No. 433.)
„ John, elk., one of the chaplains in ordinary to the King, Canon
or Prebendary of Windsor, vice Hugh Cressej, who
seceded from the Church of England. 7 July. (12
Chas. II> p. 3, No. 143; p. 19, No. 168.)
„ John, elk., Prebendary of Llanvair Talhayam, first portion,
in the Cathedral of St. Asaph, vice [John] Saladine, de-
ceased. Westm., 6 Aug. (12 Chas. U, p. 19, Nos. 49,
50.)
„ Roger, elk., M. A., rector of Tenby, co. Pembroke, St David's
dioc. Westm., 23 March. (34 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 25.)
„ Thomas, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Bachryd and Llan-
deder Castle Payne, in the collegiate church of Brecon,
St. David's dioc., vice — Awbry, deceased. Westm.,
1 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 156, 157.)
„ Thomas, elk., B.A., rector of Llangynyw, co. Montgomery.
Westm., 11 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 172.)
Maddocks, Thomas, elk., M.A., Prebendary or Canon of Cayre in the
collegiate church of Llandaff, vice Hugh [Lloyd], Bishop
of Llandaff. Westm., 3 Dec. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 12.)
Maddockes, Thomas, elk., M.A., rector of St. Andrew's, co. Glamor-
gan, Llandaflf dioc. Westm., 5 June. (13 Chas. II, p.
47, No. 217.)
Mathewes (Mathews), Manasses, elk., rector of Portynon, co. Glamor-
gan, St. David's dioc. Westm., 1 Nov. (14 Chas. II,
p. 19, No. 110.)
„ Maurice, elk., rector of Erebestock, co. Denbigh. Westm.,
24 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 359.)
„ Maurice, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Master Mago in
Llandaflf Cathedral, vice Evan Piice, deceased. Westm.,
4 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 149, 150.)
„ Samuel, elk., vicar of Almeley, co. Hereford. Westm.,
1 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 307 )
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS. 309
Meredith, Richard, elk., vicar of Trellocke, co. Monmouth. Westm.,
21 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 438.)
„ Richard, elk., Archdeacon of Dorset, vice Richard Fitz-
herbert, deceased. Westm., 26 Jaly. (12 Chas. II, p.
3, No. 1 ; p. 19, No. 99.)
„ Thomas, M.A., rector of Llanddiniolen, co. Camarvon,
Bangor dioc. Westm., 13 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No.
285.)
Meuricke, Francis, elk., rector of Egglwissaile, co. Anglesey, Bangor
dioc. Westm., 18 June. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 192.)
Milward, Thomas, elk., vicar of Nessestrange, co. Salop, Lichfield
and Coventry dioc. Westm., 7 Nov. (16 Chas. II, p. 19,
No. ^.)
Morgan, Hugh, elk., rector of Bet tons Bledrouce, co. Cardigan.
Westm., 11 Aug. (12 Chas. U, p. 1, No. 291.)
„ Robert, S.T.P., rector of Llandinam, Bangor dioc, vice
Thomas Bayly, S.T.P., deceased. Westm., 8 Sept. (12
Chas. II, p. 1, No. 61.)
„ Robert, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Llanddarog in the
collegiate church of Brecon, vice Hugh Penry, deceased.
Westm., 29 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 60, 61.)
„ Thomas, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Thomas Baschurch
in Llandaflf Cathedral. Westm., 22 Aug. (12 Chas. IT,
p. 4, Nos. 168, 169.)
„ Thomas, elk., rector of Llangorse, co. Brecon, St. David's
dioc. Westm., 9 Dec. (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 76.)
Morgans, John, elk., vicar of Cardigan and Verwick, co. Cardigan,
St. David's dioc. Westm., 22 Dec. (14 Chas. II, p. 19,
No. 71.)
Morrice, Richard, elk., rector of Llanglydwen, co. Carmarthen.
Westm., 11 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 173.)
Morris, David, elk., rector of St George, alias Kegidog, co. Denbigh,
St. Asaph dioc, vice William Salisbury, elk., resigned.
Westm., 10 Nov. (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 99.)
„ James, elk., vicar of Llanrhisteed, co. Cardigan, vice David
Lloyd, ceded. Westm., 27 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 248.)
Mossom (Mosson), Robert, elk., M.A., rector of Llan Ennis, alias
Llan-ynnis, co. Denbigh, Bangor dioc. Westm., 16 July.
(12 Chas. II, p. 3, No., 114.)
Nay lor, George, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Brampton in Lincoln
Cathedral, vice Morgan Wynn, S.T.P., deceased. Westm.,
30 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 112 ; p. 19, No. 77.)
Newborough, Richard, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Withington
Parva in Hereford Cathedral. Westm., 5 Sept, (12
Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 141, 142.)
Newton, John, M.A., vicar of Rosse, with the chapel pertaining to
the same, co. and dioc. of Hereford, vice — Price de-
ceased. Westm., 25 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 3.)
310 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
OUway, Hamfrej, elk., rector of Llanmst, co. Denbigh, St. Asaph
dice. Westm., 8 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1. No. 169.)
Otway, Thomas, elk., M.A., Prebendary or Canon of LI indrindod,
CO. Radnor, pertaining to the collegiate church of Brecon,
St. David's dioc. Westm., 30 Sept. (14 Chaa. II, p. 19,
Nos. 19, 20.)
Owen, E^an, S.T.P., rector of Llandissel, co Cardigan. Westm.,
20 Jnlv. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 383.)
„ Qeorge, cIk., rector of Llanbeder Wellfrey, co. Pembroke.
Westm., 10 Jan. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 108.)
„ George, elk., rector of Narbarih, co. Pembroke, St David's
dioc, vice Evan Owen, S.T.P., resigned. Westm., 21
Jan. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 24.)
„ John, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Llandngwy, co. Cardijyan,
pertaining to the collegiate church of Brecon. Westm.,
11 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 110, 111.)
„ John, M. A., yicar of Roch, co. Pembroke. Westm., 27 Nov.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 45.)
„ John, elk., rector of Llandewy Wilfrey, co. Pembroke, St.
David's dioc. Westm., 12 May. (14 Chas. II, p. 19,
No. 212.)
„ Robert, elk., M.A., rector of Llangelynin, co. Merioneth, Ban-
gor dioc Westm., 1 Aug. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 1 71.)
„ Thomas, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Marthary or Marthem
in St. David's Cathedral, vice Jeremy Taylor, S.T.P.,
resigned. Westm., 12 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 79 ;
p. 4, No. 127.)
„ Thomas, elk., M.A., rector of Llanvisnath, oo. Pembroke,
St. David's dioc. Westm., 29 June. ^14 Chaa. II, p. 19,
No. 195.)
„ Warberton, elk., rector of Rackton, co. Sussex, Chichester
dioc. Westm., 27 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 243.)
„ Wilb'am, elk., M.A., Treasurer of St. David's Cathedral, co.
Pembroke. Westm., 9 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 99 ;
p. 19, No. 10.)
„ William, elk., presentation to the second portion of the rec-
tory of Pontesbury, alias Pontsbury, co. Salop, vice Peter
Studley, deceased. Westm., 1 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 209.)
„ William, elk., Canon or Prebendary of Llanartbney in the
collegiate chureb of Brecon, St. David's dioc, vice
Stephens, deceased. Westm., 8 Sept. (12 Cba». II,
p. 4, Nos. 93, 94.)
„ William, S.T.P., rector of Rboscrowther, co. Pembroke, vice
— Phillipps, deceased. Westm., 19 Sept. (12 Chas. II,
p. 1, No. 140.)
„ William, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Worcester, vice Giles
Thornborougb, deceased. Westm., 7 Feb. (14 Chas. II,
p. 2, No. 22 ; p. 19, No. 11.)
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES II. 311
Owens, Nicholas, elk., vicar of Arberporth, co. Cardigan, St. David's
dioc. Westm., 19 June. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 199.)
Parry, George, elk., M.A., rector of Llangadock, co. Glamorgan, vice
William Edwards, elk., deceased. Westm., 14 Sept.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 163.)
„ George, elk., rector of Cheriton, co. Glamorgan, vice Henry
Price, ceded. Westm., 13 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No.
77.)
„ Henry, elk., vicar of Bettns, co. Montgomery. Westm., 17
July. (12 Charles II, p. 1, No. 890.)
„ John, elk., M.A., rector of iktstyn, otherwise Qaeen Hope, co.
Flint, vice Dr. Pnleston, deceased. Westm., 11 June.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 454)
„ John, elk., S.T.P., rector of Ewhnrst, co. Surrey, Winchester
dioc, vice Dr. William Fuller, resigned. Westm., 10
June. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 219.)
Penry, Meredith, elk., rector of Llanhamlach, co. Brecon. Westm.,
28 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 877.)
Phillipps, John, elk., rector of Disserth, co. Radnor. Westm., 23
July. (12 Chaa II, p. 1, No. 365.)
„ Eichard, elk., rector of Hyop, co. Radnor. Westm., 15
Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 157.)
„ William, elk., rector of Kellibebyll, co. Glamorgan, Llan-
daff dioc. Westm., 9 Dec. (13 Chas* II, p. 47, No. 117.)
Piers, Griffith, elk., rector of Nannerch, co. Flint. Westm., 7 July.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 411.)
Pooler, Thomas, M.A., rector of Pencombe, co. Hereford. Westm.,
24 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 354.)
Portrey, Richard, elk., rector of Rosehilly, co. Glamorgan, St. David's
dioc. Westm., 18 June. (16 Chas. II, p. 19, No. ^.)
Powell, John, elk., B.A., vicar of Llansanfraid in Commoddwydwyr,
CO. Radnor. Westm., 28 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No.
260.)
„ Riche, elk., vicar of Bochwrd and Llanbeder Paynes Castle,
CO. Radnor, St. David's dioc. Westm., 5 Nov. (12
Chas. II, p. 1, No. 65.)
„ Robert, elk., vicar of Nantmell, co. Radnor. Westm., 16
July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 895.)
„ Robert, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Bole in York Cathe-
dral, vice [Henry] Smith, S.T.P., deceased. Westm.,
20 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 195, 196.)
„ Thomas, elk., vicar of Lanygon, with the chapel of Yffine,
annexed to Brecon. Westm., 17 July. (12 Chas. II, p.
1, No. 887.)
„ Thomas, elk.. Canon or Prebendary of Gathbrengi in the
archdeaconry of Brecon, and within the collegiate church
of Brecon. Westm., 6 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 19, Nos.
37, 38.)
„ Thomas, elk.. Prebendary or Canon of Llandaff, vice Dr.
312 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS,
Hugfaee, deceased. Wesfcm. 25 Aug. (12 Charles II,
p. 4, Nos. 172, 173.)
Price, Charles, vicar of Cardigan and Verwicke, co. Cardigan, St
David's dioo. Westm., 28 June. (13 Chas. II, p. 47,
No. 194.)
„ Henry, elk., rector of Llanedj, co Carmarthen, vice Greorge
Parry, elk., ceded. Westm., 13 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 76.)
„ Hugh, elk., rector of Llanedy, co. Carmarthen, St. David's
dioc., vice Henry Price, deceased. Weetm., 8 May. (13
Chas. II, p. 47, No. 239.)
„ John, elk., vicar of Cayo, co. Carmarthen, St. David's dioc.
Westm., 27 May. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 226.)
„ Rice, elk., rector of Aberhavis, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
17 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 392.)
„ Thomas, S.T.P., rector of Llanyfidd, cos. Flint and Denbigh,
St. David's dioc., vice William Arskin, S.T.P., deceased.
Westm., 25 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 153.)
Prooand, Edward, elk., M.A., rector of Bridell, co. Pembroke, St.
David's dioc, vice Louis Gwyn, elk., deceased. Westm.,
14 March. (13 Chas. 11, p. 47, No. 70.)
Read, James, elk., M.A., rector of By ford, co. Hereford. Westm.,
12 June. (l2Chas. II, p. 1, No. 449.)
Rhodes, Joseph, elk., rector of Old Radnor, co. Radnor. Westm.,
21 July. (12 Charles IT, p. 3. No. 8.)
Roberts, David, elk., rector of Penegoes, co. Montgomery. Westm.,
20 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 379.)
„ Edward, elk., vicar of Llansanfraid iu Mechin, ca Mont-
gomery, St. Asaph dioc, vice John Hughes, deceased.
Westm., 18 Sept. (12 Charles 11, p. 1, No. 149.)
Bobinson, John, elk., M.A., rector of Llanverres iu Yale, co. Den-
bigh, St. Asaph dioc. Westm., 4 Oct. (12 Chas. II,
p. l,No. 123.)
Rogers, Phillipp, elk., rector of Llanwithelan, co. Mont<»omery, St.
Asaph dioc. Westm., 6 Aug. (12 Chas. 11, p. 1, No. 317.)
Rowlands, Humfrey, elk., rector of Llanuryu, co. Montgomery.
Westm., 21 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 34)
Rush worth, Isaac, elk., rector of Gladestry, co. Radnor. Westm.,
29 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. I, ^o. 126.)
Sackett, John, Prebendary or Canon of St. Herman in the collegiate
church of Brecon, St. David's dioc, vice — Prichard,
deceased. Westm., 23 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, No. 22.)
Salisbury, William, rector of St. George, alias Kegadog, St. Asaph
dioc. Westm., 31 July. (13 Chas. 11, p. 47, No. 159.)
Salwey, John, M.A., rector of Richard's Castle, Hereford dioc.
Westm., 19 Oct. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 145.)
Shawe, Silvester, vicar of Ey, co. and dioc. of Hereford. Westm.,
9 Feb. (17 Charles II,J p. 3, No. 19.)
Query 18th year.
PATENT ROLLS, CHARLES IT. 313
Smith (Smjtli), Henry, M.A., vicar of Holm Lacy, co. and dioc. of
Hereford, vice Mathew Turner, S.T. P., deceased. Westm.,
25 Nov. (12 Cbas. II, p. 19, No. 87.)
„ John, rector of St. Thomas, Haverfordwest, St David's dioc,
vice John Parry, deceased. Westm., 28 Dec. (13 Chas. II,
p. 47, No. 112.)
South, Robert, S.T.P., rector of Llandissell, St. David's dioc, vice
John Williams, resigned. Westm., 22 Jane. '(17 Chas. II,
p. 3, No. 61.)
Spademan, John, M.A., rector of the moiety of the rectory of Llan-
dynam, co. Montgomery, Bangor dioc, vice Henry Comp-
ton, S.T.P., promoted to be Bishop of Oxford. Westm.,
18 Dec (26 Chas. II, p. 9, No. 3.)
Stanley, Robert, vicar of Kynnerley, St. Asaph dioc, vice John
Smallman, deceased. Westm., 25 Nov. (14 Clias. II,
p. 19, No. 90.)
Stock, Charles, elk., rector of Aston Ingham, co. Hereford. Westm.,
24 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 364.)
Stratford, Nicholas, S.T.P., Warden of Christ's College, Manches-
ter ; Dean of St. Asaph ; vice Humphrey Lloyd, promoted
to be Bishop of Bangor. Westm., 30 IJec (25 Chas. II,
p. l,No 9.)
Swayne, Richard, elk., M. A., vicar of Cleirowe, co. Radnor. Westm.,
9 July. (12 Chas. I, p. 1, No. 406.)
Swift, Thomas, Canon or Prebendary of Warham, Hereford. Westm.,
27 Sept. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 64, 65.)
Swinglehurst, Richard, Prebendary or CJanon of the Prebend called
the Chancellor's Prebend, Llandaff, vice Francis Davis,
cede J. Westm., 24 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 170,
171.)
Taylor, John, S.T.P., vicar of Dorston, co. and dioc of Hereford.
Westm., 15 March. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No. 69.)
Thomas, Oliver, elk., M.A., vicar of Neveme, co. Pembroke, St.
David's dioc Westm., 4 Oct. (13 Chas. II, p. 47, No.
144.)
„ William, elk., M.A., rector of St. Florence, co. Pembroke.
Westm., 20 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 384)
„ William, elk , Precentor of St. David's Cathedral. Westm.,
4 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 108 ; p. 19, No. 54.)
„ William, elk.. Dean of Worcester Cathedral, vice Thomas
Warmestry, deceased. Oxford, 22 Nov. (17 Chas. II,
p. 3, No. 84.)
Tyler, John, elk., rector of Kentchurch, co. Hereford. Westm.,
6 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 313.)
Tyrer, Thomas, elk., M.A., rector of Mauncells Hope, co. Hereford,
vice Richard Richard, deceased. Westm., 26 Nov. (12
Chas. II, p. 1, No. 55.)
„ Thomas, elk., M.A., vicar of Sellacke, otherwise Cellacke,
otherwise Baylham, with the chapel of King's Caple
314 ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS.
I£artin80owe,oibefrwi8e MarBtons and Pencojd thereanto
belonging, co. Hereford Westm., 18 Jane. (12 Cba& U,
p. 1, No. 445.)
Vanglian, Edward, elk., M.A., Archdeacon of Cardigan. Westm^
27 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Noe. 176, 177.)
„ Henrj, elk., Prebendarj or Canon of Llandila in ihe col-
legiate chnrch of Brecon, St David's dioc. Weaim^
26 Nov. (12 Chas. H, p. 4, Nob. 16, 17.)
„ Louis Owju, elk., rector of Cndbexton, co. Pembroke.
Westm., 30 Aug. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, Na 238.)
Waldron, Edward, dk., rector of Gladestrj, oo. Radnor, dioc. St.
David's, vice Isaac Bush worth, elk., resigned. Westm.,
26 Aug. (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No. 187.)
Watkins, William, elk., vicar of Llanvyhangel Crewcomey, aiicu
Kilkemell, co. Monmouth, dioc. Llandaff. WestuL, 10
April. (17 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 73.)
Watts, William, elk., Prebend or Canon of Bassnm in Hereford
Cathedral. Westm., 10 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 19, Nos.
151, 152.)
Weston, Thomas, elk., M.A, rector of Langwm Dnnmell, co. Den-
bigh. Westm., 27 June. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 427.)
Whittell, William, elk., M.A., vicar of Leominster, ca and dioc. of
Hereford. Westm., 9 Dea (14 Chas. H, p. 19, No.
75.)
Whittle, William, M.A., vicar of Ajlmestree, co. Hereford, vice —
Michaell, ceded. Westm., 30 Oct. (12 Chas. II, p. 1,
No. 90.)
Wicherley, Daniel, S.T.P., Canon or Prebend of Hinton in Hereford
Cathedral, vice [Thomas] Clint, deceased. Westm., 18
Sept (12 Chas. II, p. 4, Nos. 91, 92.)
Wilcox, John, elk., rector of Mainstone, co. Salop. Westm., 28 Aug.
(12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 246.)
Williams, John, elk., vicar of Devynocke, co. Brecon. Westm.,
3 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 420.)
„ John, elk.. Prebend or Canon of Llanyfudd, dioc. of SL
Asaph, vice William Arskin, S.T.P., deceased. Westm.,
17 Nov. (12 Chas. II, p. 2, No. 24 ; p. 4, No. 27.)
„ John, elk., vicar of Llyswometh, co. Glamorgan, dioc of
Llandaff. Westm., 24 June. (14 Chas. II, p. 19, No.
197.)
„ Morgan, elk., rector of Letherston, co. Pembroke, dioc. of
St. David's. Westm., 15 March. (14 Chas. II, p. 19,
No. 232.)
„ Morice, elk., rector of Freystropp, dioc. of St. David's.
Westm., 22 June. (17 Chas. II, p. 3, No. 59.)
Winne, Humfrey, M.A., rector of Cemmes,co. Montgomery. Westm.,
30 July. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 296.)
Wogan, Ethereld, elk., vicar of Penallie, co. Pembroke, dioc. of St.
David's. Westm., 4 Oct. (12 Chas. II, p. 1, No. 121.)
HISCELLAKEOrS NOTICES. 315
Wollej or WoUe, Edward, S.T.P., rector of Denergb, alias Llandrillo.
in-Rhoes, dioc of St Asaph. Westm., 3 Aug. (12
Chas. II, p. 2, No. 106.)
Wynne, Robert, dk., rector of Kirrigjdridion, oo. Denbigh. Weetm.,
11 Aug. (12 Chas. U, p. 1, No. 287.)
fftscrllaneotts Itotices.
Williams of Dttfbik-Cltdach, Neath. — ^Tbis copy of the conoas
genealogical inscription engrayed on a brass plate in the DyflTryn
pew, in the chancel of Cadoxton Chnrch, was made by Mrs. J. T.
D. Llewelyn, of Penllergare, in 1863, and deserves to be recorded
in oar pages : —
'* Waiting for the second coming of onr Blesssed Savionr lieth
Llewelin Williams of Dyffrin in this parish, gent., who so departed
this life y* 14th day of December 1625, and his body is enterred,
with seyeral of his ancestors, in this chnrch. He was by paternall
descent, in issne male, son, in the 10th degree, of Rees, the son of
Jestin ap Qwrgan, y* last prince and lord of Glamorgan of British
blood ; and by his maternal descent, in issne male, he was son in
y* like degree to Prince Conan, the son of lago. King of North
Wales, by Rannlph, the daughter of Alfred, King of Dablin. His
wife was Gwladis, the daughter of Evan ap William ap Sir Howell
goch, by his wife, Mault Cadogan, by whom he had seven sons and
fower daughters, from whom are descended a numerous issue, now
living in this parish and county, and in Monmouthshire and Car-
marthenshire. All his sons (except the eldest) tooke his Christen
for their sirnames, according to the old British and Welsh method.
" Here alsoe lyeth the body of William Williams, eldest son of the
said Llewelin and Gwladis, who departed this life the 14th day of
August 1643. His wife was Bridgett, daughter to Lewis Evans of
Montgomery, Esq.*
" And alsoe the body of Charles Williams, eldest son of the said
William and Bridgett, who dyed the 20th day of March 1639. His
wife was Jnan, daughter to Sir Edward Aubrey, Kt., by Dame Jane,
his wife, daughter and heir to William Havard of Tredomen, Esq.
*' And alsoe the body of Philip Williams, 2nd son of the said
William, who dyed the 24th day of April 1658. He was first mar-
ried to' Margarett, the daughter of David Powell of London, gent.,
by Anne, the daughter of Lyson Evans of Neath, Esq., by Marga-
rett, his wife, sister to Sir William Herbert of Swansey, who dyed
the 31st of January 1668, and lyeth buried here. The 2nd wife of
* Attorney to the Council of the Marches. He was of Llwydlo.
316 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
tlie said Philip was Rose, daughter to Morgan Cradock of Cheriton,
Esq., by Anne, his wife, the- daughter of William Prichard of Car-
went, Esq., by his wife, Jane, the danghter of Sir Thomas Stradling
of St. Dooatts, Kt., by his wife, Dame Katherine, the daughter of
Sir Thomas Gamadge, Kt., Lord of Coyty, by Dame Margaret^ his
wife, daujrhter to Sir John St. John, Kt., by whom he had issue,
Philip "Williams, now living, A^ 1707, at whose charge this inscrip-
tion is now Revived.
** And here alsoe lyeth the body of the said Rose, wife of the said
Philip,^ who departed this life the 24th dny of March 1680. She
was, by her said mother, descended from John of Graunt, Duke of
Lancaster, King of Castillo and Leon, and son to Edward 3rd, King
of England. The said Morgan Cradock, father of the said Rose, was
descended in issue male from the valiant Cradock well known in
antiquity by the name of Cradock the Puissant and Strong ; and
by female extraction from the family of Sir Rhys ap Thomas,
Knight of the Garter, and the Mausells, then of Scurlidge Penrys'
and Ozudge Castle, now Margam.
*' Another Descendant of the said Cradock the Strong was Sir
Matthew Cradock, who lies interred in the Cradock's ile in y* church
of Swanzey. This Sir Mathew was grandfather to Sir George Her-
bert, the first sherriffe of Glamorgan, and to Blacke Will, the first
Earle of Pembrocke of y* family now in being. The estate of y* said
Sir Mathew is now enjoyed by Fulke Grevill, Lord Brooke, and by
the family of the Herberts, descended to them by a daughter of
y* said Sir Mathew.
" The above mentioned Jestiu ap Gwrgan was Prince and lord of
Glamorgan, and Morganwg, and Gwent land, in y* time of William
Rufus, King of England, and was wrongfully and treacherously (by
Sir Robert fitz Hamon and y* twelve Norman Knights whom Prince
Jestin had retained in his service to fight against his enemies,
and who came into England with William the Conqueronr) dispos-
sessed of his ancient paternall inheritance, y' Castle of Cardiffe,
where he then kept his conrt, and of twelve other castles in this
connty, with all y* lands thereunto belonging, besides the Castle
and Lordship of Sangleenith, orCaerphili, which Eynon apColtroyn
(who after that base action was called Eynon FrSidwr, or Eineon
y* Treacherous, for combining with y* said strangers to betray the
Prince that had generously relieved him in his distress) tooke to
his own share, and by the assistance of y* said Normans possessed
himselfe thereof.
** Prince Jestin was lineally descended in issue male, by his ances-
tors, Morgan H^n Mwyn fawr, who married the daughter of Rodrig
the great King of all Wales, and by Ithel, King of Gwent and Mor-
ganwg, from Brennus (who, as some say, conquered Rome) or Br&n
fendigaid, ancestor to Coelus or Coel Godebog, King of Brittaine,
father to Helena or Elen Lueddog, mother to Constaniine the Great,
* There ia a remarkable hatchment to her in the chancel.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 317
y* first Christiau Emperour. His wife or Princess, y* mother of his
said son Rhys, was danghter of Ethelstan or Elistan g16dradd,
Prince of Ferlex, and Lord of y* lands between y* rivers Wy and
Seveme, descended from Casuor Wledig, y' son of Lndh or Lnd,
y* son of Beli mawr or Belinus, the great King of Britaine ; and his
mother was Ancreta or Angharad, daughter of Ednowen, Prince of
Tegengh
" The said son of Hamon and his twelve Norman followers, here-
after named, tooke to themselves, as aforesaid, y* castles and man-
nonrs following. Himselfe, as chiefe of them, tooke y* Castle of
Cardiff; Richard de Grana, Villa Neath ; William de Londres, Og-
more ; Paganns de TnrberviJle, Coyty ; Robert de St. Qnintin, Llan-
blithian; Richard de Syward, Talyvan ; Gilbert de Humphreville,
Penmarle ; Reginald de Sully, the Castle of Sully ; Roger de Berk-
rolles, East Orchard ; Peter le Boor, Peterston-npon-Ely ; John le
Fleming, that of St. George ; Oliver St. John, Fonm6n ; and Wil-
liam le Esterling, that of St. Donates.
" The above mentioned Sir Howell g6ch was ancestor, in y* male
line, to Sir Robert Thomas, late of Llanmiangel in this county,
Baronet, and son, in the 8th degree, to Cradock, eldest son of y* said
Prince Jestin by his second venter, y* said Princess ; y* said Sir
Howell was alsoe ancestor to Judge Jenkins of Hensol, by his
mother, sister to the above mentioned Gwladis.
" Here also lyeth y* body of y* above mentioned Phih'p Williams,
Esq., who departed this life the 6th Day of November 1717.
** Here also lyeth y* body of Mary y' wife of y* said Philip Wil-
liams, Esq., who dyed y* first day of Angust 1726, aged 66.
" Here also lyeth y* body of Jane, eldest daughter of Edward Tnr-
berville of Ewenny, Esq. (by Frances, his wife, eldest daugliter and
one of y* coheirs of Col. Carne of Ewenny aforesaid), and wife to
Llewelin Williams of Dyffrin, Esq., who died September y* 9th, 1726,
aged 23.
*'Here also lyeth y* body of Mary, daughter of y* said Llewelin
Williams, Esq., and Elizabeth, his 2nd wife, sole daughter and heir
of John Horton of Broughton Gifford, in y* connty of Wilts, Esq.,
who dyed January 8th, 1729, aged 4 months."
DiKHORE Pbeceptoey Chapel. — As it appears (ante, p. 156) that
Llanmadoc and other churches in West Gower were granted to the
Preceptory of Dinmore, in Herefordshire, the following account of
the Preceptory may find a fitting place here : —
" This ancient and interesting little chapel, attached to Dinmore
House, has recently been restored by the owner, the Rev. H. Hemiug
S. John, assisted by his friends, under the supervision of Mr. J. P.
S. Aubyn, the well-known architect, and was re-opened for divine
worship on the 30th of September last.
" Shortly before the dissolution of religious houses, Henry VIII
commissioned his library -keeper to make a tour through England,
318 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
and to report to him on various matters connected with the cathe-
drals, abbeys, and priories then established in the kingdom. The
liin^arium of the laborious Leland was the result^ — a work of the
greatest interest and valae, as presenting a picture full of detail of
the England through which a traveller rode in the sixteenth cen-
tury. * The Hill of Dinemore', says this accurate observer (and his
description is as applicable now as it was then), * is very steepe,
high, well wooded, and a specula to see all the countrye aboat. There
standeth a little by west of the very toppe of Dinemore Hill, on the
left hand as I roade, a commandry, with a fayre place that belonged
to the Knights of bt. John of Hierusalem in London.*
"Dinmore House, which is now the residence of the Kev. H.
Heming St. John, is situated midway between Hereford and Leo-
minster, and occupies the site of the Commandry or Preceptory
mentioned by Leland. The Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers
was founded in the reign of Henry II, by grant from the crown, out
of the royal forest of Marden, and still forms, ecclesiastically, an
extra parochial district. Establishments of this character, as is well
known, were scattered over a great part of Europe in the days when
the Order of St. John of Jerusalem flourished. They were partly
monastic, partly military : their functions in time of peace, here in
England, were to entertain strangers, to observe the rules and cere-
monies of the Order, to farm the lands attached to each cell, and to
remit the surplus revenue to the Grand Prior of England.
" Of the Preceptory at Dinmore, the only part that now remains
inttict is the chapel which stands in the garden of Dinmore House.
It is clear that originally the chapel and the domestic buildings
were connected ; but the house is now entirely detached, and with
the exception, perhaps, of some part of the foundations, does not
date back beyond the Elizabethan period. The chapel is a small
building, of which the older portion belongs to the Norman, and the
later to the Decorated period of architecture. A peculiar feature of
the edifice is the absence of any window on the north side, which is
no doubt to be accounted for by the fact that it was on this side
joined to the domestic offices of the ancient Preceptory. In the
course of the restoration a hagioscope has been discovered high up
in the eastern end of the north wall, which it may be reasonably
supposed was made to enable sick or infirm persons to join in the
services of the altar from the infirmary or some other upper chamber
in the house. A tombstone, the eight-pointed cross on which shows
that it once marked the grave of a brother of the Order, forms the
top of the hagioscope, which is therefore evidently of a later date
than the Norman part of the building. Fragments of many similar
gravestones are built into the walls. The interior of the roof, which
previously to the restoration was covered with plaster, was found to
be of oak, a great part of which was in good preservation ; and it is
undoubtedly the original roof of the Decorated period, though its
external elevation has been altered.
*'Mr. St. John is also engaged in painting the glass for the east
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 319
window, in which the fignre of Thomas Docura, who was Preceptor
of Dinmore in the beginning of the sixteenth centary, and became
Grand Prior of England, is to appear. His arms and motto, ' Sans
Roro', were found both at Dinmore and at Clerkenwell, which was
the headquarters of the Oi-der in England ; and the arms are still
visible on St. John's Gute, Clerkenwell, of which he was the builder.
The old doable patriarchal cross of the Knights Hospitallers still
stands on the eastern gable of the chapel ; and in leyelling the
floor for the purposes of the present restoration, a skeleton was dis-
covered lying almost immediately in front of the altar, which it is
believed, from the manner of interment, must be that of a member
of the Order.
" Before closing this short account of the Preceptory of Dinmore,
it may be of ioterest to tmce its history since the dissolution of the
Order of Hospitallers in England, in the reign of Henry VIII.
Having been held by grants from the crown for terms of years, and
on lives, by two or three families (amongst whom the name of Rus-
sell is found), the property was granted, in the reign of Elizabeth,
to the family of Woolryche, who built the present mansion, and
lived there till the year 1739, when the Preceptory and estate were
bought by Mr. Richard Homing of Sibdon Castle, Salop, and passed
by marriage to the family of the present owner. The chapel itself
shared the fate of so many other similar buildings, and was allowed
both to fall into decay, and to be used for secular purposes, from
which condition it was rescued, and restored to its original sacred
destination, by the uncle of the present owners." — Hereford Times,
9th Oct. 1886.
The Blood-Prodigt op Cheese. — In the Archoeologia Camhrends
for 1885, under the description of St Woollos' Church, at p. 282,
is given an account of a supposed miracle in the fact of cheeses
appearing " bloody within". The bloody appearance of the cheeses
inside the church of St. Gwynllyw had, it appears, the good effect
of causing Earl Harold to restore a large amount of stolen property.
The bloody appearance sometimes seen in cheese, generally when it
is kept in a damp place, is caused by the growth of a microscopic
fungus of a crimson colour, named Torula sporendonewa. The colour
is like arterial blood ; therefore in old times it was thought, as it
looked like blood, it might be blood. The same style of reasoning
is not uncommon in the present day. An enlarged drawing of the
Torida, made by the writer, may be seen in the Department of
Botany, British Museum, South Kensington, London. The more
familiar " blood-prodigy" of bread, and tbe sacramental wafer, is
also caused by a second crimson fungus named Micrococcus prodigi-
0SU8. WORTHINGTON G. SmITH.
Lord Richard Grosvenor, M.P., and Mr. John Roberts, M.P.,
have presented the Corporation of Flint with a copy of the cele-
320 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
brated painting of King Richard II, now in Westminster Abbey,
the earliest known contemporary painting of an Engh'sh sovereign.
The portrait of the King was copied by Mr. Leonard Haghes of
Holywell, Flintshire, special permission having previously been ob-
tained from the Dean and Chapter of the Abbey. The picture has
an especial historic interest for Flint, inasmuch as the unfortunate
King was confined in Flint Castle after being taken prisoner by
Bolingbroke. Mr. Taylor, the Town Clerk of Flint, and author of
the excellent history of the town, has also received permission to
erect in the council chamber coats of arms, in stained glass, of the
six monarchs who conferred charters upon the ancient borough.
DuRiNO some excavations in the old church at Newtown, Mont-
gomeryshire, with a view to its restoration, a portion of au early
encaustic floor was found at a depth of about 3 feet below the later
surface. The tiles are of the end of the thirteenth century.
Bishop Morgan's Welsh Translation of the Bible (p. 236). —
Finding that the omissions spoken of by Fuller, as pointed out by
Dr. Griflfith, were in the edition of 1630, 1 af^sumed that they must
have been copied from Bishop Morgan^s edition of 1588, and so I
put them in the first column as Bishop Morgan's. A more recent
opportunity of comparing that edition with Parry's has shown that
the omissions were Bishop Parry's, and not Bishop Morgan's at all.
The earliest edition, 1588, has Exodus, xii, 13, as in the present
authorised ; but that of 1620 has the omission. And it is just tbe
same in Habaccuc, ii, 5, save that Bishop Morgan's is much more
plain and simple than any of the others : e. ^., "A Hefyd gan fod
y gwr balch yn troseddu (ar) win, am hynny ni pheru, yr hwn a
helaetha", etc. ; that is, "And because the proud man tran^gresseth
in wine, therefore he shall not abide ; who enlargeth", etc. I am
glad to be able to do this act of justice to Bishop Morgan's admir-
able work, even though the subsequent omissions may have been
but printer*s errors. D. R. T.
Cambrian atc^aeological ^i&mti&tioxL
THE FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING
WA8 HILD AT
SWANSEA
ON
MONDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1886,
AND FOUR FOLLOWINO DAYS.
PSBfllBEVT.
JOHN TALBOT DILLWTN LLEWELYN, Esq. M.A., F.L.S.
VICI-PSESIBEHTS.
His W0B6HIPFITL THB Matob of
SWAKBBA (W. J. RVBS, ESQ.)
Ths Bt. Bay. thb Lord Bishop of
St. DaviD's
The Bt. Hon. thb Eabl of Jbbsbt
Thb Bt. Hon. thb Eabl of Dun-
BATBN
Thb Bt. Hon. Lobd Dtnbyob
Thb Bt. Hon. Lobd Abbbdabb
Thb Lobd Libutbnant (C. B. M.
Talbot, Esq., M.F.)
TfaB ViCAB OF SWANSBA (CaNON
Sxith)
LOCAL COXXITTEE.
His Wobshipful thb Matob of Swansba (W. J. Bbbs, Esq.), Chairman.
BoBBBT Cappbb, Esq., F.BwG.S., Viee-Ohairman,
Sib H. H. Vivian, Babt., M.P.
L. L. Dillwtn, Esg., M.P.
P. A. Ybo, Esg., M.P.
J. C. FowLBB, Esq.
T. Tbbyillian Jbnkin, Esg.
His Honoub Jxtdob Bbtnmob Jonbs
Sib J. Jonbs Jbnkins
A. J. Williams, Esg., M.P.
Chas. Bath, Esg., F.S.A.
HowBL GwTN, Esg.
H. N. MiBBS, Esg.
M. 6. Williams, Esg.
Bey. E. Bolney, M.A., Sketty
W. L. Coz, Esq., Swansea
Dr. D. Arthur Davies, Swansea
Dr. Ebenezer Davies, Swansea
Bey. J. D. Davies, M.A., Llanmadoo
J. Bichardson Frfmois, Esq., Swansea
S. C. Gamwell, Esq., ditto
Bey. Canon Qauntlett, M.A., ditto
Bichard Gwynne, Esq., Kilvej, ditto
C. H. Glasoodine, Esq., Barrister-at-
Law, ditto
J. G. Gordon, Esq., Landore
5th bbb., yoL. III.
Alfred Hall, Esq., Mumbles
Joseph Hall, Esq., Swansea
James Harris, Esq., Cardiff
E. Sidney Harland, Esq., Swansea
S. Home, Esq., ditto
Christopher James, Esq., ditto
D. C. Jones, Esq., ditto
Everard W. Jones, Esq., ditto
T. Sydenham-Jones, Efsq., Barrister*
at-Law, ditto
W. H. Jenkins, Esq., Sketty
Dr. H. A. Latimer, Swansea
21
322
CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
A. C. Jonas, Esq., Swansea
D. P. Jones, Esq., ditto
J. B. Leaver, Esq., C.E., ditto
David Lewis. Esq., Barrister-at*Law,
8, King's Bench Walk, Temple
John Lewis, Esq., Eilvey, Swansea
H. Maliphant, Esq., Swansea
Bev. J. £. Manning, M.A., ditto
T. P. Martin, Esq., ditto
Albert Mason, Esq., ditto
A. Merry, Esq., ditto
A. B. Molison, Esq., ditto
Niool Morgan, Esq., ditto
William Morgan, Esq., Ph.D., ditto
George Nancarrow, Esq., ditto
Dr. J. Paddon, ditto
J. C. Vye Parminter, Esq., ditto
C. H. Perkins, Esq., ditto
Horbert Bake, Esq., ditto
W. :F. Bichards, Esq., 61 jngoDen
Ed. Boberts, Esq., Somerset flaoe,
Swansea
John Boberts, Esq., C.E., Swansea
Philip Bogers, Esq., ditto
John Squire, Esq., ditto
A. P. Steeds, Esq.. ditto
T. Talford Strick, Esq., Swansea
T. S. Sntton, Esq , Neatii
W. Terrill, Esq., ditto
Abel Thomas, Esq., Barrister at-Law.
ditto
Dr. Jabez Thomas, ditto
D. B. Tarbenrille, Esq., Pontaidawe
Bev. Canon Walters, D.D., Llansam-
let
J. B. WUaon, Esq., A.R.LB.A., Swan-
sea
J. C. Woods, Esq., ditto
Loeal Baerttary.
Walter Lewis, Esq., C.E., Swansea.
REPORT OF MEETING.
MONDAT, AUGUST 23.
The preliminary meeting of the Committee baving been held for
the discussion of the Report and other business, the Annual Meet-
ing was opened in tbe rooms of the Bojal Institution of South
Wales, the Eight Hon. Lord Tredegar, tbe outgoing President, iu
the chair.
His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rees) said it afforded him
much pleasure to welcome to Swansea the members and friends of
the Cambrian ArcbsBological Association. Since the last meeting
here, in 1861, many members who were then present, and con-
tributed so much to its success, were, alas, no longer with them.
But fortunately, in this, as in all other matters, though they
might deplore their loss, they had equally to rejoice at the
presence of so many willing recruits as he now saw before
him. They should also feel thankful that there were still spared
to them a number of old members to guide and direct their
younger brethren in those paths of investigation in which they had
so distingpiished themselves in times past. It bad often struck
him as not only a strange fact, but also a very encouraging one, that
in this the most energetic time the world had ever seen, when men
of all climes and countries were rushing into every available comer
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPOKT. 323:
of the hi^bitable globe to develop trade and commerce, it should*
also witness the keenest desire on the part of all civilised com-
munities to become more acquainted with the doings, the habits,
and the peculiarities of bygone ages. They might quote Byron's
words —
*' Out upon him who for ever will leave
But enough of the past for the future to grieve :
Remnants of things that have passed away,
Fragments of stone reared by creatures of clay."
No society had done more for their country than the one he had
the honour to welcome that evening to their ancient borough. The
Cambrian Archadological Association had, indeed, done good service
in rolling back the thick veil which had obscured many a fact, both
in history and archseology, and had caused light to shine on what
otherwise would have seemed dark pages in the past. If these
societies did nothing more than this, they could justly claim their
warmest gratitude. But, when he looked around him, and saw the
same development in trade that he had spoken of followed by archsBO-
logical discoveries in Greece by the Prussian Government, and our
own investigation in the Holy Land, he felt that this and all
kindred associations had some reason to be thankful that, though
they lived in an utilitarian age, they did not altogether ignore the
benefits resulting from the researches of antiquaries. In spite of
the seeming eagemes3 in business, and the great desire to heap up
riches, they often looked with envy on their more fortunate
brethren who choose the calmer and more intellectual paths of life.
Lord Tredegar, on behalf of the Cambrian Archeaological Asso-
ciation, begged leave to tender their warmest thanks to the Mayor
of Swansea for the reception he had given them, and for the able
remarks with which his Worship had opened his speech. Before
coming here, he had looked very carefully over the records of the
Association for some years past, and had found that it was not the
usual custom for the ex- president to attend on occasions such as this,
and, therefore, he did not exactly know what he had to do; but he
hoped the Association would forgive him for inflicting his presence
upon them. He was sure that they would find that the district
they were about to visit was an ample page, rich with the spoils
of time, and abounding in objects of interest. He believed
he had nothing further to do than to vacate the chair, and
welcome into it a gentleman who bore a name all Welshmen loved.
He was sure that one more fit than Mr, Llewelyn could not be
found to occupy that position and conduct the Association through
the great objects of interest that awaited them dtiring the week.
When Mr. Llewelyn had taken the chair. Archdeacon Thomas rose
to propose a cordial vote of thanks to their late president, Lord
Tredegar. Referring to the meeting held last year at Newport, he
spoke of the singular beauty of the county of Monmouth, and its
richness in places of interest of many kinds and periods — Roman
stations, British earthworks, Norman castles, mediaaval religious
21 »
324 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
houses like beantifal Tintem, and chnrches of sncli interest as St.
Woolios, Newport, Usk and Chepstow. He farther allnded to the
welcome and the assistance extended to them by the Caerleon and
Monmonthshire Antiquarian Association. Altogether, that Meeting
had proved more than nsnallj successfol and instmctiye, and much
of its enjoyment, he thought, was due to the warm interest taken
by Lord Tredegar in their work, and the pleasant genial manner in
which he discharged the duties of President.
Mr. Laws, General Secretary for South Wales, in seconding the
proposal, said that all who had been at Newport had felt exceed-
mgly indebted to his Lordship, and he had laid upon each of them
a personal sense of obligation.
Lord Tredegar, in an amusing acknowledgment, thanked the
Association for their kind expressions, and was gratified to think
that he had helped to make their Annual Meeting pleasant and
successful.
Mr. Llewelyn then delivered his presidential address : —
'* I thank the members of the Cambrian Archaeological Associa-
tion for the high honour they have done me, in appointing me to
the honourable position of President. In following the Bight Hon.
Lord Tredegar, who was your President last year, I can only ven-
ture to hope the present meeting may be as agreeable and instruc-
tive to the members of the Association as that at Newport last year,
under his Lordship's presidency, undoubtedly was. Chester was
originally selected for our 1886 meeting, but, owing to the visit of
the Royal ArchsBological Institute to that city, a change bad to be
made, and the meeting was eventually fixed for Swansea. A large
and industrious local Committee has been formed, with Mr. Walter
Lewis, C.E., for its active Secretary, and I trust that, if favoured
by fair weather, we may be able to carry out satisfactorily to your
minds the programme, with copies of which you will have already
been supplied.
" The antiquities of Swansea have already received your attention
at a previous meeting in the year 1861 ; but, for two reasons,
another meeting on an already reconnoitred locality may be held
with advantage. In the first place, a new generation will have
sprung up afber an interval of twenty-five years, to whom this
meeting will come fresh and fall of interest; and, secondly, the
information acquired by those who were here in 1861 will not only
bear refreshing, but very possibly be the germ from which more
matured opinions and views will have been developed ; and, if such
find expression in the debates and transactions of your Asso-
ciation, it will be to the advantage and benefit of the history
which it is our special point and object to clear up and emphasise
for those who come after us. Truly, it is for this that the Cambrian
Archaaological Association exists.
"The remains of past generations rapidly become obliterated by
the ravages of time, weather, and careless and destructive man.
SWANSEA MEETING. — BEPORT. 325
We cannot well avoid the former, but it should be our constant
-watch and care to prevent the latter ; and, in snch a canse, every
member of onr Association can act as though he were a member of
a vigilance society — prevent any vandalism which he may observe
— secore that any excavation, disinterment of remains, such as
opening a tnmnlns, barrow, or cairn, or laying bare a Roman tesse-
lated pavement, shall not be carelessly done or left to inexperienced
workmen, bnt, if carried ont at all, be well superintended, and an
accurate reh'able report prepared for the next meeting of our Associa*
tion. Remains do exist in onr district, and it would be a lamentable
loss if their destruction should be wanton or careless, and the histories
on which they might shed invaluable light be left in the Cimmerian
gloom, which we, as an institution, exist to brighten.
" The district around Swansea abounds with material for reflection
on the past and of interest to the archaeologist, whether it be in the
Cymric, Roman, Norman, or Mediasval periods. Remains exist in
pro-historic cairns and encampments giving a dim evidence of the
rude quarrels and resistance to the intrusion of unwelcome in-
vaders of the old land of their fathers, or in the cromlechs and
Druidic remains which testify to the earliest forms of their primi-
tive worship. When we come down to the Roman period,
the evidences point to the probabilities that their roads and
stations, which are still to be traced, both by their names and
by their actaal remains, were not destined to bring about that
civilisation and colonial success which attended their engineering
efforts in richer and more accessible parts of Great Britain—
probably both on account of distance, of the poverty of the district,
and of the resistance of the rude Welsh tribes, we find a scarcity of
those remnants of the luxury which attended the Roman settlers in
other places. Villas, with their tesselated pavements, baths, and
other evidences of luxurious ease and rest, are scarce here, while
the names of Castell and Caer, one of Roman, the other of Cymric
origin, are as sug^ifestive in their opposition as the positions of the
camps of these rival nations. Names and legends may, if taken
alone, be of little real value, but they are suggestive to many. I
will record a legend of my own place given me by my father, as
received by him from the old people of the neighbourhood. Pen-
llergare (Pen-lle'r-gaer) is the head of the camp. Tradegar (Troed-
y-gaer) is the foot of the camp (situate about three-quarters of a
mile to the north). This would indicate that these camps were
facing northwards. The names are Welsh. One mile and a half
to the south is Cadley, or the Battle-field. A well near here is
called Fynon Circonan, or Colcona, and the legend is that the
Western tribes defeated at Cadley, after the death of their leader,
who died from his wounds while drinking at the well which still
bears his name, fled in confusion towards the nearest fords of the
river Llwchwr, which now separates Glamorganshire from Car-
marthenshire, and were routed a second time on the plains of
Cam Goch, or the Red Carn, which took its name from the blood-
326 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
shed wliich occurred there. Another locality in the immediate
yieinity is Llwyn Cadwgan, and, as we know that Gadwgan was
King of Guhir or Gower, Cntgneli or Kidwelly, and Cantref
Bichao, about a.d. 1066, it may be that he was implicated in the
battle of Cadley^ and, if so, a date would be obtained for the
suggestive names above-mentioned.
"Many years ago, I was present at and superintended the opening
of the principal cam on Cam Goch^ it consisted of a mound of
earth sixty or seventy feet across, and four or five feet deep, so far
as I now can remember. This had once been covered by a heap of
stones, which had been removed for making roads. On open-
ing the earthen mound, a ring of stones was found, the centre
of which was not concentric with the centre of the cam itself.
"A number of cists were found, consisting of flat stones, charcoal,
and cremated bones. Two flint instruments were found, one a
rude knife, and one an equally rude spear-head. Nine sepulchral
urns or vases of rude pottery were found, ornamented by the
impression on the undried clay of twisted thongs or rushes. One
of these sepulchral urns then found I now present to the Museum
here, while others were deposited, with their history, in the British
Museum, in London.
"One deduction which I remember as the outcome of the dis-
cussion upon the above question, and which was, I think, based
upon the negative evidence suggested by the absence of any Roman
remains of bronze or iron, was that the antiquities were not Roman,
but possibly pre-Roman. This is not necessarily any part at all in
the legend I have narrated ; Cadwgan Conan and Cam Goch may
not have been connected, nor does it follow that either is connected.
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 327
with Penllergare. I merely give the story as exactly as possible as
I received it from my father, and I dare say there are gentlemen
here who will take a pleasure in shredding it into a score of frag-
ments.
"I cannot conclude without a reference to the valuable addition to
the records of the county of Glamorgan, in the publication by Mr.
George T. Clark, of Talygarn, of his valuable history, The Land of
Morgan^ and I must express a hope he may live long to give us
a continuation of it down to more recent times."
A hearty vote of thanks to the President for his Address was
moved by Mr. R. W. Banks, seconded by Major Lawson-Lowe,
F.S.A., and carried with acclamation.
The Rpev. R. Trevor Owen, General Secretary, then read the
following Annual Report : —
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1886.
** For the fifth time, during its existence of forty-one years, the
Association meets in this populous and flourishing county of
Glamorgan — a county which has been from the first the foremost
in its support, and the largest in its roll of members ; and this is
its second visit to this important centre of modem industries and
of early antiquities. The interval of a quarter of a century since
the former meeting has given birth, indeed, to a considerable infu-
sion of new members; but it is gratifying to see among the Vice-.
Presidents of this gathering no fewer than eight members of the
previous Committee of 1861. Most of us, however, meet here now
for the first time, with the results of that meeting, and the subse-
quent researches to which it gave rise, to stimulate and guide us.
And, if we miss from our present list the honoured names of
Traheame, Hey Knight, Stephens, Grant Francis, Mogs^dge, and
others, we rejoice in the survival of the venerable Lord-Lieutenant
of the county, of Lord Aberdare, Mr. Howell Gwyn, Sir H. Hussey
Vivian, Bart., M.P., twice President, who shows his continued
intei*est in our work by a paper to be read on Friday ; and, especially
does the Association desire to refer to one to whom this county is
so deeply indebted for the elucidation of its medisaval history —
manorial, military and genealogical — one whom the country at
large honours as its chief authority on mediasval military architec-
ture ; and one to whose learned and willing pen the pages of the
ArchcBologia Camhrensis owe many a valued article — Mr. George
Thomas Clark, another of its Vice- Presidents.
** The number and- interest of the papers to be read during the
excursions are a feature which promises to add greatly to the
pleasure and profit of our meetings, as was so markedly the case
last year at Newport; and we venture to hope that we may enroll
their authors as permanent members, and active contributot*s to
328 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGTCAL ASSOCIATION,
the Joamal, of the Association. Some of them have alreadj
proved their ability. Margam charters to the number of sixty-five
have been transcribed and annotated by Mr. Clark; but Neath
calls for a fuller history than onr pages contain. ' West Gower'
has already found its 'vates sacer' in the Rev. J. D. Davies,
Rector of Llanmadoc.
*' Looking back over the past history of the Association, and
bearing in mind how often the Committee has had to appeal to its
members for a freer supply of literary matter and a more punctual
payment of subscriptions, it is no slight satisfaction to be able to
say, after a career of over forty years, that the annual quota of
archaeological lore is still forthcoming, though it may not be always
punctual in its issue ; that the list of members is not below ijie
average ; and that the funds are even more flourishing than they
have been before at any period of its existence. Our younger
members, therefore, may take courage ; and we urge them to take a
yet more active share in promoting the interests of a living and
flourishing Society.
" During the past year, some of our members have been called upon
to take a prominent part in duties of no mean order. Professor
Rhys has delivered a course of Hibbert Lectures* on the Religion of
the Celts ; Mr. Romilly Allen has discharged the duties of Rhind
Lecturer, in connection with the Society of Ahtiquaries of Scotland,
on * Early Christian Symbolism in Gh:*eat Britain and Ireland' ; Mr.
Egerton Phillimore has taken in hand the editorship of the Cymm'-
rodor ; the Rev. Elias Owen has completed his interesting account
of The Old Stone Crosses of the Vale of Glwyd ; Mr. Edward Laws,
one of the General Secretaries, is far advanced with the History of
Little England beyond Wales, a work which enters fully into the
pre-historic and ethnological, as well as the more general history
of Southern Pembrokeshire. Chevalier Lloyd, Major Lawson-
Lowe, Mr. A. N. Palmer, are all busily engaged in literary work.
'* It is well the Association can show so good a record, for it has
lost many members since the last meeting; e.g. —
" The Right Hon. Lord Penrhyn, Lord-Lieutenant of Caer-
narvonshire, a Patron.
Ven. Henry Powell Ffoulkes, Archdeacon of Montgomery,
a Vice-President.
Mr. R. Kyrke Penson, F.S.A,, Local Sec. for Shropshire.
Dr. O. Richards, Local Sec. for Merionethshire.
Mr. Ignatius Williams, The Grove, Flintshire.
Mr. Edward Jones, Chetwynd End, Shropshire.
Mr. John Jones, Belau House, Oswestry.
Rev. Henry LI. Browne, Monks' Sherborne.
" All these have been removed by death, and some few others
have withdrawn. The following names, however, of new members
are to be submitted for confirmation at this Annual Meeting, viz. :
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 329
"North Wales.
"Sir Watkin William s-Wynn, Bart, Wynnstay, Denbighshire.
William Henry Gladstone, Esq., M.A., Hawarden Castle,
Flintshire.
Rev. E. T. Davies, BA., Aberdovey Vicarage, Merioneth-
shire.
Rev. T. J. Hnghes, M.A , Llanbedr Rectory, Denbighshire.
Miss Lncy Griffith, Glyn, Dolgelley, Merionethshire.
William Taylor, Esq., Arthog, Merionethshire, and West-
bonme, Bolton, Lancashire.
"South Wales and Monmouthshibb.
" F. Thomas Mansell, Esq., St. Hilary, Cowbridge.
S. C. Gamwell, Esq., Swansea.
Rev. Charles Griffith, M.A., Blaenavon, Pontypool
Everard Whiting Jones, Esq., Swansea.
Major Lawson-Lowe, F.S.A., Shirenewton Hall, Chepstow.
Major Pnrchas, R.E., Tenby.
" Ambbica.
" Henry Blackwell, Esq., 201, East Twelfth Street, New York.
" It is proposed to add to onr list of Vice-Presidents —
" The Rev. Daniel Silvan Evans, B.D., an eminent Welsh
scholar and lexicographer, and some time Editor of the
Archasologia Cambrensis,
John Rhys, M.A., Professor of Celtic in the University of
Oxford, a distinguished aothority ou Welsh and kindred
philology.
" To the Committee it is proposed to re-elect —
" Mr. J. Romilly Allen.
Mr. J. R. Cobb.
" It is also proposed that the following be appointed Local
Secretaries for their respective counties :
" Glamorganshire. — Thomas Powel, Esq., M.A.
Merionethshire. — Rev. J. E. Davies, M.A.
Shropshire. — Rev. C. H, Drinkwater, M.A.
" and that Edward Parkyns, Esq., Secretary of the Royal Institu-
tion, Truro, be appointed Corresponding Secretary for Cornwall ;
and Charles Hettier, Esq., F.S.A., Caen, to be Honorary Member
of the Association and Corresponding Secretary for France.
" Much attention has been drawn of late to the importance of
preserving the ancient court rolls and other deeds appertaining to
330 CAMBRIAN ARCU^OLOGIGAL ASSOCIATION.
the Domerons manors in the connhy, as throwing a vast amount of
light upon the habits and civilisation, the legal and social condition
of the inhabitants, the g^wth and development of local institutions,
the devolution of properties and the descent of families. In giving
our cordial support to the movement, we can appeal to tlie work
done bv our own Society in this very neighbourhood, in publishing
the valuable Survey of Oower, and to the use made of simila^
materials by Mr. G. T. Clark in his valuable contribution to county
history in The Land of Morgan.**
The adoption of the Report was moved by Mr. Lloyd-Philipps,
seconded by Mr. Hartland, and carried.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the members of the Association
were invited by the Mayor to partake of refreshments which he
had hospitably provided, and an opportunity was at the same
time given for inspecting the contents of the Museum.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24th.
Some by train, but most after a long and dusty journey by road,
a large party of members of the Association met at midday at
Margam Abbey, the seat of Mr. C. R. Mansell Talbot, M.P., in
whose absence they were received by Mr. W. Llewelyn of Court
Colman, who also acted as guide on the occasion.
A small portion only of the Abbey buildings survive, and those
almost entirely ecclesiastical, and most of them in ruins ; but what
does exist is of considerable beauty and great interest. The Abbey
was founded in 1147 by Robert Earl of Gloucester ; and his suc-
cessors, as lords of Glamorgan, exercised the right of *' baculum
pastorale", that is, of appointing or confirming the election of the
Abbot. The foundation was of the Cistercian order, and Giraldns
Cambrensis, who visited it at the end of the century, records that
** under the direction of Conan, a learned and prudent abbot, it was
more celebrated for its charitable deeds than uny other of that
order in Wales." At the Dissolution it was sold to Sir Rice
Mansel of Oxwich Castle, and continued in the male line of the
family till the death of Bussy Mansel, the fonrth and last Lord
Mansel, without issae ; when it passed, through the marriage of his
sister with John Ivory Talbot of Lacock Abbey, to the Talbot
family, which is now represented by the present owner, Mr. C.
Rice Mansel Talbot, M.P. for the county, and father of the House
of Commons. The most interesting feature of the existing remains is
the chapter house, which is twelve-sided externally, and circular
within — the earliest, if not the only instance in England of such an
arrangement in a Cistercian house. A central pillar, with banded
shafts and a richly carved capital, from which radiated graceful
ribs, supported the vaulted roof, until it fell in 1799. The accom-
SWANSEA MEETING. — KEPORT.
331
panying engraving, by Mr. Worthington Smith, presented to the
Association by Mr. Barnwell, gives a faithful illustration of it.
Around the walls, both within and without, are preserved many
inscribed stones of nnnsual interest, on account of their inscrip-
tions and of their sculpture. Most of them belonged to the Abbey,
but some have been transferred hither for security, and nearly all
have been engraved in Professor Westwood's valuable work, the
Lapidarium WalUce. We observed, however, in a careful examii.a-
tion of the inscription on the Guorgorec stone, a recumbent i at
the end of the name, making it read **Enniaun .p' anima Guor-
goreci fecit."^ It is approached on the west from a double
cloister, which is entered by a beautiful doorway ; near it is a
> In the Life of St. Cadoc occurs a statement that seems to refer to this
individual, and records a curious form of taking possession of land.
" The Abbot of St. Cadoc, with his clergy, brought the cross of St. Cadoc
and his earth, and going round the aforesaid land of Conguoret, claimed
it, and be/ore proper xcitnesses scattei-ed the earth of the aforesaid saint
thereon, in token of perpetual possession^ One of the witnesses was a Gua-
gorit.
332 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOOICAL ASSOCIATION.
carious sundial of stone dated 1662. Passing aroand bj a fine
gateway, said to hare been designed by Inigo Jones for a summet^
honse, we approached the west front of the parish chnrch, which
had formerly been the nave of the Abbey church. This front is of
late Norman character, and was apparently intended for a tower,
if we may judge from the corbels in the walling ; but the plan was
altered and two campaniles substituted, and a groov^e in the ashlar
work points to the gabled roof of a porch now removed. The door-
way is Norman, and deeply recessed. Internally, the church comprises
a nave with two aisles ; the two eastern bays form the chancel, and the
spaces north and so nth 'are used as burial-places of the Mansell
family. The piers are rectangular, and plain capped by a Norman
abacus, and the arches semicircalar. Sir B. 0. Hoare*8 illustration
to the Itinerary of Giraldus Cambrensis, shows a Norman triforium,
?ierced with small round-headed openings; but the wall is now plain,
'he Mansel tombs are interesting specimens of their date, and there
is in the north aisle a beautifully executed ef&gj of Theodore, the
only son and heir of Mr. C. R. M. Talbot. While the nave has been
preserved as the parish church, the rest of the original church has
fallen into ruin ; but the remains show it to have been cruciform ;
the eastern portion to have been of rather later date than the nave:
in the south transept had been apparently two altars ; and the windows
are of Decorated character. The east end was square, and does not
appear to have had a lady chapel. The cloister was south of the
nave aisle, the wall of which served both for it and the church ;
south-east of the cloister is the vaulted base of a building, probably
the abbot*s house ; and the refectory is believed to have occupied
the site of the present orangery. Here luncheon was served, and,
after thanks had been voted to Mr. Talbot for providing the party
with wines on the occasion, and also for permission to inspect the
ruins and the house, a move was made to the chapter honse, where
Mr. Gamwell read a paper on the " History of the Abbey," which
will appear in the next number of the Journal. Afterwards, the
modern house, with its rich and handsome equipments, was in-
spected, as also were the fine paintings; two, of the old house,
excited special interest.
Proceeding thence by road to Neath, a detour was made to
inspect the efiiigy of " Adam de Kermerdin", an early Abbot of
Neath. It lies in the grounds of Court Henry, at the foot of an
erect stone, which bears an incised cross on each side. The effigy
is much worn by exposure to the weather, and is broken into
three pieces. He is represented as robed in a chasnble, and bears
in his left hand a model of a church, in signification of his hav-
ing been the rebnilder of the Abbey church. Both the erect stone
and the effigy are protected by an iron chain enclosure; but the
effigy, which has been broken into three parts, is much decayed
through exposure to the weather.
The Abbey, described by Lelaud as in his days "the fairest abbey
in Wales", was founded in 1111 by Richard de Granville — a younger
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 333
brother of Robert Fitz Ham on, and one of the twelve knights who
accompanied him in the conqnest of Glamorgan — and it was finished
in 1129. The architect was Lalys, the same who planned Margam
Abbey. De Granville retired after the fonndation to Bideford,
where his descendants resided for about seven hundred years, till
their line closed with George Granville, the poet, created Lord
Lansdowne in 1711, who lefb daughters only.
Abbot Adam de Kermerdin, in Court Henry GroundB.
At the Dissolution, the Abbey was granted to Sir Richard Williams,
ancestor of Oliver Cromwell; and horn his family it passed to the
Hoby family, the last representative of which, Philip Hoby, died
in 1678, and was buried in the Herbert Chapel in St. Mary's,
Swansea. It is now the property of Lord Dynevor. The ruins
are extensive, but much injured by time and weather, and still more
by the careless hand of man ; one part was converted into a family
residence, and another portion was at one time used for smelting
purposes !
Mr. T. S. Sutton read a useful paper on the plan and arrange-
ments of the conventual buildings, which will appear in due time
in the Journal. The finest portion of the remains was the pure
Early English cruciform church, of which the nave and aisles, tran-
septs and side-chapels, high altar and lady chapel, with central
tower and grand west window, may well have claimed for it old
Leland's commendation. The flooring of the high altar had been
brought to light for the occasion, and some fine heraldic tiles exposed.
Excavations had also been made in the sacristy between the south
transept and the site of the chapter house.
Warm thanks were accorded to Mr. Sutton for his services; to
Lord Dynevor, for permission to inspect the ruins ; and to Mr. and
Mrs. Howell Gwyn, for their kindly provision for the bodily wants
of their visitors.
Evening Meeting.
The President, having taken the chair, called upon Archdeacon
Thomas to give a resume of the day's proceedings, after which Mr.
David Lewis gave a very interesting account of the Charters of
Neath Abbey, based upon the collections of the late Mr. Grant-
Francis, F.S.A. Commencing with the foundation charter of Richard
334 CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
de Granville, a.d. 1129, be passed od to those of John in 1207 and
1208, showing the grants that had been made in the intervening
years. From the first charter, it appeared that there have been
two castles at Neath, and that the Abbey has been built npon the
site of one of them.
Following Mr. Lewis's remarks on the Abbey, Mr. Banks referred
to the paper which Mr. Sutton had read in the atternoon,and in which
he was understood to say that nothing was known of the history of
the Abbey after its dissolution. Mr. Banks suggested that it would be
quite possible to obtain information as to its after-history by ascer-
taining, at the Record Office, to whom it was granted, and tracing
its subsequent descent. It appeared to him and others who
examined the ruins that, although parts of the original monastery
remained — for instance, the fine room on the Imsement with a
vaulted stone roof, erroneously called the Crypt — the greater part
of the building which we now see had been converted into a
domestic residence with old materials from the Abbey, at the end
of the sixteenth or the beginning of the seventeenth century. He
regretted that no member present was an architect, to give them
more exact information. The large square windows of Tutton
stone inserted in the building reminded him of Sir John Perrott's
additions to Garew Castle, and the alterations made in Heidelberg
Castle for the reception of the Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia. He
urged Mr. Lewis to carry on his enquiries into the history of the
Abbey, and hoped he would entrust the result to the Journal of the
Cambrian ArchsBological Association.
Prebendary Walters, having asked whether there had been any
monasteries in England before the Norman Conquest, was reminded
of the evidence of Saxon charters. The difference also between the
earlier British foundations and those of the post- Conquest period
were pointed out ; and the President closed the sitting by relating
some legends of the ill fate of the possessors of abbey property, and
especially one relating to Philip Hoby, the last occupant of Neath
Abbey.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25th.
At 9.30 this morning, a large party, about one hundred in
number, including several members of the Swansea Scientific Society,
set out for North Gower. Passing through Sketty and over Fair-
wood Moor, a halt was made at Pen y crick Tumulus, when the
Rev. J. D. Davies, the historian of West Gower, read a paper to
show, on the authority of the Liber Landavenais, that " at or near
this spot there once existed an ancient British Church called ' Llan
Pencrug' (the Church of the Chief Grave^). This church had been
the subject of a great dispute between Gudoceus, Bishop of Llan-
daff, and Bivan, Abbot of Llantwit, which ended in the church
^ Should be "the church near the head of the mound'\ — Edd,
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT, 335
beiDg granted to the bishop and the altar of Llandaff for ever."
The episcopate of Ondocens was in the sixth centnry, and, as '* Llan
Pen Crng" was stated to be in Gower, there conld be little doubt
as to its identity : close by is Crickton (the Town of the Graves^).
The form of the tnmnlas was round, and its period the bronze age ;
but it had been dug into and nearly obliterated. Passing on towards
Llanrhidian, the extensive and strongly marked earthwork of " Cile
Ifor" formed a prominent object crowning a hill on the right.
There appears to be no history attached to it ; but it must have
been a position of great importance as commanding the estuary of
the Llwchwr.
At Llanrhidian, an interesting thirteenth centnry tombstone was
shown in a garden, where it had been discovered last year, 1885, on
the removal of some debris^ forming a step near some ruined walls.
Only the head had been carved ; now much obliterated, and along
the flat surface ran a Norman-French inscription, in Lombardic
letters.
On the village green are two curious upright stones; one of them
a maen hir, which, after lying long on the ground, had been set up
by the Vicar about forty years ago ; about the other there was con-
siderable discussion as to whether it too had been a maen hir or the
shaft of a ruined wheel-crosa It has been used within memory as
the village pillory, the offenders being secured by a chain, which
was fixed to two iron staples still remaining.
The church, which comprises nave and chancel, has an em-
battled tower at the west end, stepped in the Irish fashion. The
embrasures of the battlements are of great depth, and the turret
prcnects boldly; on the east and west fis^ces are two distinct couplets
of laucets, the other openings being two mere slits ; the south win- *
dow of the chancel is a double ogee. Internally may be noted the
prolongation of the window-cill to form a sedile, and a piscina
inserted in the jamb : the priest's door has been filled in, but
another opened up. There are two chalices : one inscribed " Llan-
ynewir Chappell 1677"; the other is 1700. A curiously carved
stone in the churchyard caused much discussion as to its real use,
whether it had been a tombstone, part of a cross, or the tvmpauum
of a doorway. A careful drawing of it was made by Mr. W. G,
Smith, and we intend to refer to it again.
Weobley Castle is a very interesting specimen of the fortified
residence built at the close of the thirteenth or during the first half
of the fourteenth century. Placed on the edge of a very steep
ascent from the marshy ground which forms the shore of the Burry
inlet, and covered with water at each high tide, its position was well
calculated to guard against any assaults by naval marauders, while
its isolated position in a thinly populated district, much of which is
still high moorland, made it less liable to attack to the landward.
What its defences on this side were, can now only be matter for con-
* Bather, " the town near the cnig or mound^.^EDD.
336 CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
jectnre, for tbey are wholly obliterated, and their site is occnpied by
a fiEtrmyard and buildings, erected with the rained materials. The
northern front of the castle, facing the Barry inlet, and command-
ing an extensive view over it and the opposite shore from Longhor
(Llwchwr) to Pembrey, with portions to the east and west, still
remains in a fair state of preservation ; bat the interior of the walls
has been converted into a farmhoase, and has undergone such modi-
fications as to make its original state nnrecognisabla The building
was lofty and extensive, and its ground-plan irregular. The prin-
cipal entrance was on the west by two arched doorways through a
small intermediate square lobby, unprovided with the usual modes
of defence, within or without. On either side of the entrance are
two small square towers, projecting from the wall ; the narrow one
to the left is almost in its original state, and the other much ruined;
in neither is there any loophole for the defence of the entrance.
Above the outer doorway, is a small lancet window with an ogee
trefoil head, and there is a small transitional lancet window on the
same level in the ruined tower to the right. The walls which
remain are surmounted by a plain and deep parapet resting on a
corbel table, serving as a cover for the rampart which ran along it
within, and served uie purpose of defence and of a look-out. Snter*
ing the building, a fine window in the narrow tower to the left
looks into the inner court. It is still open and in good preserva-
tion, and consists of two long lancet lights with slight cusps, tran-
soms at half its length, and a plain lozenge-shaped opening in the
head above the central mullion, the exact counterpart of the long
windows in the hall of Stokesay Castle, Shropshire. The absence
of loopholes, and the few window openings in the outer walb of the
' castle, are deserving of notice. In the return wall northward of the
western front, halfway up the wall, are the remains, now filled in,
of a large double ogee-headed window, terminating at the top with
a square stone, and transoms at half its length. A similar window,
blocked up, may be seen a little below the corbel table on the east
side of the square block, which projects northward, and is termi-
nated by a fine circular watch-tower about fifty feet high, rising
well above the level of the parapet ; in the upper part of the watch-
tower is a small ogee-headed window. A fine polygonal tower
terminates the northern front of the building to the east. The
upper part of this tower and the east front ai-e covered with ivy,
and hidden from view ; but at the base of the tower is a flat arched
doorway, probably the postern, from which there is an ascent by a
steep and narrow staircase.
The name of Weobley at once recalls that of Weobley in Here-
fordshire, which occurs as " Wibelai'* in the Domesday Survey
among the possessions of Roger de Lacy ; we will not speculate as
to the derivation of the name, but rather suggest for consideration
whether the owner of the castle in Gower may not have adopted the
name of Weobley from his connection with Herefordshire and the
owners of the castle there. Referring to " Notes on Weobley**
E
M
O
K
i
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 337
(Arch, Camhr,, Srd series, voL 15, p. 43), we find that Theobald de
Verdon, lord of the manor and castle of Weoblej in Herefordshire,
died in 1314, leaving three daughters his coheiresses, of whom
Margery had Weobley as her share. By her third husband. Sir
John Crophnll, she had a son, Thomas Crophnll, who married Sibilla,
daughter of Sir John de la Bere, the lord of the Gower castle, and died
in his father's lifetime, leaving an only daughter, Agnes, who, on the.
death of Sir Thomas Crophnll in 1383, inherited the Herefordshire
Weobley, and shortly afterwards married Sir John Devereux. The
Delabere family were owners of property in the adjoining neighbour-
hood and other parts of Herefordshire for two or three centuries.
After the ruins had been carefully examined, the Rev. J. D.
Davies read a paper upon the history of the castle and some of its
owners, which will appear in the Journal. At the close, a cordial
vote of thanks was given, on the motion of the President, to Mr.
Davies, for this and his other services to the Association.
The party then proceeded to inspect the maenhir on Mansel field
Farm, known as " Samson's Jack'*; the material of which is old red
sandstone conglomerate, or pudding-stone.
On the return journey, a section of the party ascended the hill of
Cefn Bryn, to inspect the cromlech known as Arthur's Stone. The
huge capstone, of the old red sandstone conglomerate of the district,
is now 13 feet in length by 6 feet 6 inches broad, and 7 feet in
thickness, and it weighs about 25 tons ; but a large piece, broken
off through the action of rain and frost, must have added another
ten tons to the weight. The stone was originally sustained by
eight uprights, but is now held up by four. One legend relates that
King Arthur, when at Llanelli, was annoyed by a pebble in his shoe,
and threw it out to Cefn Bryn; and another states that St. David,
the patron saint, struck off with his sword the broken portion.
Under the name of " Maen Ketti ', whence the name of the neigh-
bouring ** Sketty", it is alluded to in the Triads as one of " the
three mighty achievements of the Isle of Britain". From it came the
proverbial expression for any huge weight, " mal Uwyth maen keti".
The cromlech has formed the centre of a series of avenues and cairns,
described by Sir Gardner Wilkinson in the first volume of the fourth
series of the Journal, and illustrated by five engravings. The illus-
tration here given was drawn by Mr. W. G. Smith, and has been pre-
sented by Mr. Barnwell.
From Arthur's stone the party extended their excursion through
the village of Penrice, with its large village green and newly rebuilt
church, to Penrice Castle. This fine ruin stands on high ground, and
is very imposing and extensive. It was " one of the keys of Gower,
and, with Swansea and Llwchwr castles, covered the frontier of the
promontory towards the Welsh districts". Mr. G. T. Clark writes
further that the ruins of the present, which, though old, was probably
not the original castle, attest the continued power and wealth of the
family (of Penrice) into the reign of the second and third Edwards,
when they terminated in an heiress, Isabel Penrice, who married, in
6th SEB., VOL. III. 22
338 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
1867, Sir Hugh Mansel, and bad a son, Richard Mansel of Oxwicb,
ancestor of the Mansels of Margam.^ The modern house, which
stands below the castle, is the favoarite winter residence of Mr.
C. B. Mansel-Talbot, M.P. This was the €nest mih'tarj rain in
Gower, and great regrets were expressed that it had not been in-
cluded in one of the programmes, and that the lateness of the boar
did not admit of a more carefal examination. Swansea was not
reached before ten o'clock.
Evening Meeting.
The President, having taken the chair, gave an accoant of the places
of interest visited daring tlie day ; and afterwards referred to an
anonjmons letter sent to him by some one, who said be bad been
refused admittance on Monday eveni"g because he was not a
member. The President thought it would be well to popularise the
Association, and to have one of the meetings open to the publia'
The Rev. J. D. Davies, in the absence of Archdeacon Thomas,
then gave a resume of the day's proceedings, and enlarged on many
points of interest in the excursion.
Mr. Banks, in the discussion which ensued, differed from Mr.
Davies in his suggestion that the sculptured stone disinterred at
Llanrhidian, in front of the church porch, and now lying in the
churchyard, had been the lid of a coffin. From its shape and the
design sculptured, he thought it was more probably a sepulchral
monument.
Mr. Laws thought that it bad formed part, perhaps the base, of
a cross.
A paper by Mr. J. Coke Fowler, upon " Some Inscribed Stones
at GnoU", near Neath, his former residence, was read in his
absence by Mr. David Lewis. It was compiled chiefly out of
Professor Westwood's account in the Archceohgia CambrensiSj third
series, vol. xi, p. 59, and in Lapui avium Waliue. We supply from
the former the engravings to illustrate Mr. Fowler's paper; although,
in thi'ir present location, the inscribed stone, or so much of it as is
visible, is cemented in beneath the figured one.
" The figured stone is destitute of inscription. It is of irregular
form, about thirty inches in height, and twenty in width. Ita
surface is nearly occupied by a rudely designed human figure. The
head is round, and uncovered ; the arms raised, with the hands
open and the fingers spread out ; and a short apron or kilt reaches
from the waist to the middle of the legs. Above the head is a
series of short straight spokes or bars, some longer than the rest,
and bent at right angles, forming a kind of canopy over the figure,
^ The Genealogies of Glamorgan ^ p. 499.
^ There must have been some misapprehension here, as only one of the
evenings is limited to members, and that is necessary for the business of
the Association. The others are o|ien to the public on a small charge for
a ticket. Perhaps it was this the anonymous writer objected to. — £j>d.
SWANSEA MEETIXO. — REPORT.
33^
which is in relief, the surface of the stone having been cat away.
The kilt is formed of a series of longitadinal strips, radiating from
a waistband, and giving the appearance of a short and very thickly
qailted petticoat, as in several Irish figures on the shrine of St.
Manchan.
'* It is said that such representations of ancient Britons on the
sculptured stones of Wales are extremely rare.
** This stone was found upon Cefn Hirfynydd, ne»ir Sarn Helen,
and not far from Oapel Colbren. A road is supposed to liave been
made by Helena, daughter of Eudaf (or Octavins), Duke of Cornwall,
and wife of the Emperor Maximus. 'J'ho Sarn Helen has also been
ascribed to Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantino, who
was first proclaimed in Britain. She was a Welshwoman ; but it
seems that Sarn Helen is a common name for roads in the Princi-
pality, and may, perhaps, be a corruption of Sarn y Lleng, the
**Path of the Legion", as Watling Street (the great Roman road in
England) may come from Gwaith y Lleng, the** Work of the Legion".
** The attitude of this and the figures on the stones at Llan-
340
CAMBRIAN ARCHJEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
defaelog, at Llanf rynaoh, and Llanham-
lech in Breoonshire, agrees with that
repeatedly found in the Boman cata-
combs. It is generallj interpreted as -
representing the act of prayer or wor-
ship ; and the dress is specially Celtic,
as may be seen in many early scalp-
tnres in other parts of the kingdom, as
well as in early Irish metal- work."
A drawing of the stone, made by
Lient. Evan Thomas, B.N., was shown
in illnstration of the paper.
THE INSCRIBED STONE.
" In the Lapidarium WaJlicp^ by I.
O. Westwood, M. A., Oxford, printed at
the University Press for this Society,
it is stated, p. 6, that the earliest notice
of this stone is by Edward Llwyd in
Gibson's Camden^ p. 620. It is there
stated that in the parish of Cadoxton
and the hamlet of Llangadoc, about six
miles from Neath, are two circular in-
trenchments, and a stone pillar thus
inscribed :
**MAECI CABITINI FILII BERICII. *
"The stone is about a yard long
and eight inches broad. The letters
are rudely-formed Roman capitals of
unequal height It appears from a let-
ter from the Bev. T. Williams (printed
in the ArchcRologia CambrensiSj Series
III, vol. xi), that about the year 1806
the late Lady Mack worth, the then
owner of Gnoll, collected all the curious
stones in the neighbourhood, for the
purpose of embellishing a grotto at
Gnoll. The stone was partly broken
before removal, and the extremity of
the: inscription received some injury.
It now reads thus :
" MACARITIN « FILl'^BERI.
"The letter i is horizontal, as is
often the case in the Welsh inscribed
names. As to the final part of the last
word there is some doubt* as the stone
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 341
has been injured since Camden read it '* Bericii", thoagh his fac-
simile looks more like Bericoi.
" In the folio edition of Camden, which I have afc The Hill, the
inscription is given as it existed before the fracture.**
Canon Walters mentioned a fragment of a stone found in the re-
building of Ystradgynlais Church with an inscription, Hicjacet,
Major Lawson-Lowe also spoke of a stone with interlaced pattern
found in taking down the north-west angle of the nave of a church
near Chepstow.
Mr. R. Gwynne gave an account of various archaeological objects
in the neighbourhood; and, after a bi-ief discussion, the meeting
was closed.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26th.
The first object this morning was Swansea Castle, over which Mr. C.
Bath, F.S.A., acted as guide, and pointed out its principal features;
and conducted the party through the portions that still survive,
though much altered by the many changes that have been made in
them. The distinguishing feature of the Castle, which was built
by Henry de Gower, Bishop of St. David's, in the fourteenth cen-
tury, is the handsome arcaded parapet of the tower, which stands
out well above the town bnildings, and is the counterpart, with
some difference, of the similar work at Lamphey and St. David's.
In the great hall, now used as an armoury, an excellent paper on
its history was read by Mr. Capper, F.R.G.S.,for which he received
the thanks of the Association. It will be found on pp. 302-7 supra.
Prom the Castle a move was made to St. David's Hospital, founded
by Bishop Henry de Gower in 1332, with the aid of other bene-
factors, for six chaplains and the support of blind decrepit priests
and other poor (religious) men in his diocese of St. David's. At
the dissolution, it was granted to Sir George Herbert ; then meta-
morphosed into a Tudor residence — subsequently plastered over
and lost sight of until it was discovered by Mr. George Grant
Francis. It has lately been purchased by our President. An
interesting paper on the surviving remains was read by Mr.
J. Buckley Wilson, A.R.I.B.A., who illusti*ated his account by a
ground-plan and drawings, and a restoration view of the old
chapel, the open timber-work of the roof of which still remains.
These we hope to give with the paper in a future number.
Prom this to the parish church of St. Mary's was but a short
distance; and here Mr. Gamwell gave an account of the edifice
and its historical associations. Rebuilt by Bishop Gower, its
character and proportions were much altered for the worse, owing
to an accident in 1739, when the roof of the middle aisle fell in
just before divine service on May 20th. In the reconstruction, the
pillars of the nave had to be rebuilt, and the church was made
twelve feet narrower than before. The ground-plan comprises a
342 CAMBRIA.X ARCHiEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
nave with aisles, and a long chanoel with the Cradock and Morris
chapels on the north side, a north poroh, and a tower ou the 8ontb«
This last has on its sammit a cnrioas arrangement for lighting
beaoon fires. In the chancel, and forming a reredos, is a fine
painting ascribed to Sassoferrato (died 1598), representing the
Madonna and Child, presented to the chnrch by the late Mr. Thomas
Bowdler of the Bhjddingpi. On the north wall, fixed into the
mnrble top of an altar- tomb, which once stood in the middle of the
chancel, is a fine brass representing Sir Hugh Johnys, Knight of
the Holy Sepalchre, and Dame Mawde, his wife, with nine of their
children. The inscription, in old English character, i-eads thos:
'* Pray for the sowle of Sir Hagh Johnys, knight, and dame Mawde,
his wife, which Sir Hagh was made knight at the holy sepulchre of
oar lord Jhu Crist in the city of Jerasalem the xiiij day of Aognst
the yefe of onr lord Gode m cccoxli. And the said Sir Hugh had
cotynayed in the werris ther long tyme by fore by the space of fire
yer*s that is to sey ageynst the Tnrkis and SarsyoM in the p'tis of
troy g^ecie & tnrky under lohn y^ tyme Emprowrie of Constan-
tynenople, and afler that was knight marchall of ffrance under John
duke of Som*set by the space of ffvve yere. and in likewise aftyr
that was knight marchall of Ingland under the good John duke of
Norfolke which John gyare unto hym the mano of landymo to hym
and to hys heyr for ev'more uppon whose senilis Jhu hav mercy.'*
The Dame Mawde was first cousin to Sir Matthew Cradock, whose
altar-tomb, with effigies of himself and his wife, and richly canopied
carvings, is seen in the Cradock Chapel with this inscription :
HERB LIBTH SIR MATHIE CRADOK KNIOHT SOMETIME DEPUTE UNTO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE CHARLES ERLE OF WORCET IN THE OOUKTIB OF
OLAMORQAN & MORGAN CHAUNCELOR OF THE SAME STEWARD OP OOWER
AND KILYEI, AND MI LADI KATERIN HIS WIFFE. This MI LADI KATKRIN
was Lady Katherine Gordon, the widow of Perkin Warbeck, who
married for her second husband Sir Matthew, and after his decease
married, for the third time, Sir John Strang^ ways, of Fy field,
Berkshire, where, and not here, in spite of her efllgy, she lies
interred. Sir Matthew and his wife lived at the Place Honse, the
site of which is now occupied by the south side of Temple Street
In the same chapel, now called the Herbert Chapel, is another
monument which shows who was an occupant of the domestic resi-
dence on the site of Neath Abbey :
" Here lyeth the body of Philip Hoby of the Abby of Neath in
this County Esquire fourth son to Peregrine Hoby of Bysham in
the County of Berks Esq. by Katherine daughter to Sir Wm.
Dodington of Brejmore in the County of Sonthampton Knt. by
Mary the daughter and sole heir of Sir John Herbert Knt. and
Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth, who departed this life on
the 15 day of June 1678 and on the Ist day of July following was
brought to be interred with one of his ancestors Sir Mathew
Cradock and Father to Sir Greorge Herbert Knt. and Father of the
said Sir John and eldest brother to William fir^t Earl of Pem-
broke of the family of the hows of Pembroke now in being.'*
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 343
The arclies by which this chapel opened into the church have
been built up, and the place, notwithstanding its monuments, is
very neglected and uncared for.
The ef^gy of a priest, which once occupied the recess in the
north wall of the chancel until it was removed about seventy years
ago outside the church, has again been brought under cover, and
now lies, secure at least from the weather, in a small vestry-room
at the west end. We shall recur to this on another occasion.
In the afternoon, a very large party drove, on the invitation of
the President, to Penllergare, a name indicative of a Roman
encampment. Here, whilst many stayed to enjoy the singular
beauties of the place— the fine gardens and the wonders of the
Moth House — others followed the President to Cam Otoch Common.
On this common he had discovered many years ago the sepulchral
urn^ which he presented on Monday evening to the Swansea
Maseum; and, not far off, and closely adjoining the Roman road
from Neath (Nidnm) to Llwchwr (Leucarum), he pointed out two
small square camps. The larger one — 31 yards by 30 yards — with
a fosse of eight yards from the outer edge to the crest of the agger,
had two entrances opposite each other, north and south; the other,
a little smaller, had four, one on each side. Mr. Banks mentioned
a similar entrenchment,^ about 110 feet square, with four entrances,
fosse and agger not more than six feet in width, in the line of the
Roman road from Castell Collen to Llechryd and Builth, on the
summit of the rising ground between Llandrendod and Howey,
close to the Central Wales Railway, and commanding a view of
the line of road either way.
On the return to Penllergare, the whole party were most hos-
pitably entertained by the President, to whom and Mrs. Llewelyn
the cordial thanks of the Association were accorded, on the motion
of Archdeacon Thomas, seconded by Mr. Lloyd-Philipps as one
of the oldest members, both for their genial hospitality and for the
unceasing interest they had taken in the whole of the meetings.
Evening Meeting.
At this, which was a meeting of Members only, the Treasurer
reported that he had £209 : 13 : 3 in hand on the Society's account ;
that several subscriptions for last year were unpaid, and that the
greater part of the subscriptions for the present year remained to
be collected. He mentioned that Mr. Stephen W. Williams con-
templated an early visit to Strata Florida, with a view to make
accurate drawings of the few architectural remains, and a grunnd-
plan of the buildings, and suggested that the Society might afford
material aid if it granted him £5 for labourers' work in excavations
to trace the hnes of the walls. After a discussion, it was resolved
to allow Mr. Williams £5 out of the funds of the Society for the
purpose. Denbigh was decided upon as the place of meeting for
ISoV.
' Archxoloffia Camhrensis^ vol. for 1856.
2 Ibid., 4th Scries, vol. iv, p. 2b7.
344 CAMBRIAN ABCH^EOLOGICAL ASS0CIAT109.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27m
To-dftj the Excnreion was into Soatb Gower, in order to see the
rarest prehistoric monument in the peninsula — the famous cham-
bered cairn of Park Le Breos. There the members were met bj
Sir H. Hnssej Vivian, Bart^ M.P., who had travelled from London
to receive his visitors. The cairn is not foand, as is nsnallj the
case, on the high ground, but is situated in the bottom of a secladed
and weU-sheltered dingle. Here Sir Hussej Vivian read a paper,
which he had contributed to the Archcsologia Cambrerms in 1871,
supplemented by more recent observations down to date. As we
purpose reprinting the whole paper in a future number, it will suf-
fice to state here that '' this valuable prehistoric tomb was dis-
covered in 1869, and opened under the eyes of Sir John Lubbock
and Sir Hussej Vivian. It consists of a central avenue, the
entrance to which is funnel-shaped, and very neatly constructed of
dry masonry, 16 ft. long ; at the mouth 12 fl. wide, contracting to
3 ft. 6 ins. ; at this point it joins the central aisle, from which
branch off the chambered cells, two on either side. This aisle is
built of large stone slabs, and is 17 ft. long, with a uniform width
of 3 ft. The chambers are 6 fit. by 2 ft., and the interstices
between the slabs are carefully packed with small stones. When
the cairn was opened, it contained the remains of at least twenty
human beings, two of them having been aged persons, two children,
two females ; while the remainder were persons in the prime of life.
The bones were too fragmentary to decide what was the shape of
the crania. With the human remains were deer and swine*s teeth,
and fragments of sun-dried pottery. The chambers contained two
and three bodies, the remainder were arranged in the central aisle.
A short discussion ensued between Sir Hussey and Mr. Laws as
to whether the cells had been covered with slabs or not ; the latter
contending that they must have been so covered, the former as
urgently maintaining the negative: the opinion of the Members was
in favour of the covering slabs.
The " Cat Hole** cave, about 200 yards to the north of the
cairn, was next visited ; but it was not possible to go far into it,
owing to the foul air.
On the rocky point at the head of Brock Bottom, Sir Hussey
pointed out a distinctly marked vallum running across the point,
and separating it from the level ground to the west. Within thi^
vallum was a small space of ground with sevei'al circular depressions,
which, he thought, must have formed the site of beehive huts : the
position is well-sheltered and defensible, and may well have served
as the camping-grouud of an early tribe. A ground-plan would be
very helpful towards understanding the arrangement.
Afterwards, a generous hospitality was shown to the Members at
Park Le Breos; and, in thanking Sir Hussey for this and for his
paper on the cairn, occasion was taken to allude to the great care
shown in the preservation of the remains.
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT. 345
From this point the party separated into two divisions ; the one
branching off to see the famous Bone Caves, where a paper by Mr.
C. H. Perkins was read in his absence by the Rev. J. E. Manning,
and on to Pennard Castle, a quadrangular fortress of the Edwardian
type, of which '* nothing now remains of any consequence save a
bold rude gate with rude flanking towers". The other party drove
to Bishopston Church, an interesting edifice of the twelfth century.
It consists of chancel, nave, and western tower with battlements.
In the south wall of the chancel are two loop windows and a
blocked up priest's door ; near the windows is a piscina projecting
from the wall. In the north wall of the nave is the doorway to
the rood-loft, and a small window by which it was lighted. The
font is square, on a circular stem and square base, reminding one of
the Pembrokeshire type. The chalice is Elizabethan, and is inscribed
" Pocnllum Eclesie de Byshops Towne'^
The next and last point of the flxcursion was the Castle of
Oystermouth, an imposing ruin which disputed with Penrice the
honour of being the chief stronghold in Gower. The principal
feature is the square keep, in the upper story of which is the
chapel, with five large Decorated windows ; the north side is the
most stately, and is pierced with many windows. The grand
entrance at the south-east is defended by towers and portcullis. A
paper read by Mr. Martin on the spot, and illustrated by a ground-
plan, made it much more feasible to make out the somewhat intri-
cate arrangements. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr.
Martin, on the motion of the President. This paper will appear in
the JournaL
EvENiNQ Meeting.
At this the concluding session of the Annual Meeting, the Presi-
dent in the chair, after the usual brief resume of the two days*
excursions had been given, the following votes of thanks were
passed unanimously :
1. To the President and Council of the Royal Institution of
South Wales for the use of their rooms ; proposed by the Earl of
Cawdor, and seconded by Archdeacon Thomas.
2. To the Entertainers, and especially to his Worship the Mayor
of Swansea ; on the motion of Mr. R. H. Wood, seconded by Mr.
Hartland.
3. To the Local Committee, particularly to their Yice-Chairman,
Mr. Capper, and their Secretary, Mr. Walter Lewis ; proposed by
Mr. Laws, seconded by Major Lawson*Lowe.
4. To the Readers of Papers, especially to the Rev. J. D. Davies
and Mr. G^mwell ; on the motion of Mr. Banks, seconded by Mr.
Lloyd-Philipps.
Ihe votes having been respectively acknowledged, the rest of the
evening was devoted to a conversazione and music ; and so closed
a very pleasant and successful week, thanks in no slight degree to
the genial presence and unflagging interest of the President.
5th 8EB., VOL. III. 23
346 CAMBRIAN ARCBLEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
SWANSEA MEETING, AUGUST 23-27, 1886.
Receipts.
SCBSCRFBBRS TO LOCAL FJrND,
J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq., President
The Right Hon. the Karl of DunraTen
The Right Hon. Lord Tredegar
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. David's
The Right Hon. Lord Aberdare
Ilowel Gwjn, Esq.
Charles Bath, Esq.
F. A. Yeo, Esq., M.P. .
J. Richardson Francis, Esq.
The Rev. Canon Smith .
The Right Hon. The Earl of Jersey
His Honour Judge Brynmor Jones
M. B. Williams, Esq.
J. 0. Fowler, Esq.
Joseph Hall, Esq.
Rev. Canon Walters, D.D.
Robert Capper, Esq.
David Lewis, Esq.
A. C. Jonas, Esq.
His Worship the Mayor of Swansea (W. J. Rees, Esq.
J. Trevilian Jenkin, Esq.
Dr. Paddon
J. Buckley Wilson, Esq.
Dr. Jabez Thomas
Everard W. Jones, Esq.
T. S. Sutton, Esq.
Edward Roberts, Esq.
Dr. D. Arthur Davies
A. Merry, Esq. .
W. R. Collins, Esq.
Nicol Morgan, Esq.
John Roberts, Esq.
J. E. Moore, Esq.
Dr. I. Padley
Dr. H. A. Latimer
Sir H. H. Vivian, Bart., M.P.
Rev. E. L. Barnwell
J. G Gordon, Esq.
Sir J. Jones Jenkins
Sums of 10».:— T. R. R. Davison, Esq.; Rev. J. D. Davies,
M.A.; II. N. Miers, Esq.; A. P. Steeds, Esq.; Philip
Rogers, Esq.; A. Merry, Esq. (2); F. Glyn Price,
£ 8. d.
2 2
2 2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
SWANSEA MEETING. — REPORT.
347
£ $, d.
Esq.; Thomas Hall, Esq.; H. D. B. Dillwyn, Esq.;
Miss Aubrey; Rev. T. W. Prickett (2); Rev. J. E.
Manning, M.A.; A. E. Jacobs, Esq.; E. Starhuck
Williams, Esq.; D. C. Jones, Esq.; Yen. Archdeacon
Griffiths; F. B. Eden, Esq.; T. P. Martio, Esq.; Rad-
cliffe Morgan, Esq. (2); lltid B. Nichol, Esq.; A.
Oruickshank, Esq.; Thomas Evans, Esq ; G. S. Jacobs,
Esq.; J. Squire, Esq.; Richard Gwjnne, Esq.; Miss
Madge; Dr. Ebenezer Davies ; A. R. Molison, Esq.;
Christopher James, Esq ; S. Home, Esq.; William
Morgan, Esq. . . . . . .17
The Proprietors of The Cambrian . . 7 «
R. Maliphant, Esq. . . . . .050
Twenty-six tickets at 2«. 6(1. . . .350
£83 18 6
Expenditure.
Mr. H. Maliphant for printing ....
Mr. D. C. Jones for sundry drapery
Proprietors of Cambrian for printing
Advertisements : — Camftriari, £3:13:8; Western Mail,
£1:4:0; South Wales Daily News, £1:4:6; Cam-
bria Daily Leader, £2:9:0
Messrs. Croker and Ball for gas-fittings
Mr. W. H. Crowther, expenses to Aberavon
Clean intr, etc., at Royal Institution
Cloak-room attendance ....
Messrs. J. Glasbrook and Sons for timber . .
Messrs. Thomas and Paton for lighting
Clerk's assistance ....
Rev. D. H. Davies, carriage of exhibits
Carpentry at Royal Institution .
Postages, telegrams, carriage of parcels, train and cab
expenses, and sundries
Brakes, etc., for members of the press
Mr. Idris Lewis, honorarium
Miss Jones, Walnut Tree Hotel, Aberavon, extra ex
penses in connection with luncheon
Mr. Bevan, King Arthur Hotel, Reynolstone .
British and Foreign Confectionery Co., extra expenses
in connection with conversazione at Royal Institu
tion on August 27 .
Cheque book .....
The Council of Royal Institution for gas
10 19 4
4
1 U 6
Balance to be forwarded to Cambrian Arch. Assoc.
8 11
12
«
16
5
15
1 9
3
12
1 6 6
6 12 3
3 14 6
1 1
1
1 10
2 10
1
1 1
£61 17 11
32 7
£83 18 6
Examined and found correct,
J. Squire, 14 Oct. 1886.
Chas. Price, Local Hon. Treasurer, 15 Oct. 1886.
Walter Lewis, Local Hon. Sec, 15 Oct. 18>iG.
348
LOCAL MUSEUM.
CATALOGUE OF THE TEMPORARY MUSEUM,
SWANSEA MEETING, 1886.
Thi Temporary Museum wa$ placed in Roome heUmginff to the Rej/ei JntHhtU
of South WaUe,
Friumyal.
Cakes of bees-wax from kitchen-midden, Llanmadoe Barrows
Rey. J. D. Davies, M.A.
BOMAK.
Mill-Btone found in 1 878 on the old Roman road near Pontardnlais
F. W. Johns, Esq.
Three Roman needles found at Goginan
Carious bronze vase found near Goginan
Rev. D. H. Davies, Cenarth.
A sepulchral um of rude potter j with the impression of twisted
thongs or rushes, from Cam Goch
J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq., M.A., F.L.S.
MEDIiBTAL AND MISCELLANEOUS.
Shell-money, New Guinea
Cross of oak from chancel of St. David's Cathedral
Holy- water receptacle of china Miss A. L. Powell.
African musical instrument. The sounding-box contains a loose
stone, and the notes may be altered by moving the bridge
A. Cruickshank, Esq.
Halbert found at Newcastle- Emlyn
Ancient sword
Curious panel with head carved in relief
Rev. D. H. Da vies, Cenarth.
Skull found in dredging North Dock, 1886 R. Capper, Esq.
Guinea-gold locket from Central Africa embossed with Christian
symbols, and dating prior to 1400 a.d. Mrs. Capper.
Gk*eek, Roman, and English Coins
Rev. D. H. Davies, Cenarth, C. Bath, Esq., Rev. J. D. Davies,
T. P. Martin, Esq., and Mrs. Morgan, Oystermouth.
Stone hatchet, New Caledonia A. C. Jonas, Esq.
Specimens of old china — Dresden, Worcester, Durham, and Swansea
— were exhibited by Miss Powell, Mrs. Morgan, J. R. Francis,
Esq., and F. W. Johns, Esq.
SWANSEA MEETING.--REPORT. 349
Books and Manuscripts, etc
Gkbriel Poweirs Survey of Gower, 1764
Charters granted to Swansea
Copper Smelting, working copy
Final copy of Copper Smelting
Pedigrees, Charters, Surveys, etc., relating to Qower and Glamorgan,
by William Bennett
Original deeds connected with Glamorgan, Swansea, etc., with
Memorandum by G. G. F.
Curious extracts relating to pedigrees of Welsh families, deeds,
evidence taken at Swansea, etc.
Extracts relating to Swansea from Vestry-books, etc.
Charticrs relating to towns in Wales
Acts of Parliament relating to Swansea, complete set, 1762-1804,
maps, etc.
Collection of Acts relating to Glamorganshire, 1778-1854, maps, etc.
Broadsides relating to Swansea and Glamorgan, 1772-1820
Five volumes of correspondence relating chiefly to the antiquities,
history, and progress of South Wales, 1834-1838
Materials for the history of Neath and Swansea. G. G. F.
Lent by J. E. Francis, Esq.
Three Manuscript Sermons, time Charles II
Lent by J. Coke Fowler, Esq.
Black.letter Bible, 2 vols., 1634
Black-letter Common Prayer-book, 1669 Lent by Mrs. Morgan
Book of Common Prayer and Bible, 1639
Lent by T. P. Martin, Esq.
Powell's History of Wales, 1684.
Early Welsh Book of Common Prayer, 1664
Lent by Charles Bath, Esq.
Indian Manuscript in Telugu language. Lent by J. Gnppy, Esq.
Bible, 1658
Common Prayer, 1699
Metrical Version of Psalms, 1641 Lent by Mrs. Paddon
Copies of old deeds and manuscripts, with index
Twelve old deeds Lent by Mrs. Bishop
Bible in Hebrew, 1661
England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, 1627
Lent by A. C. Jonas, Esq.
Various plans of Swansea, including four views of the harbour
Swansea, sketch, 1729
Swansea, engraving, 1748
Llangavelach Copper- works, drawing by Buck, 1730
Views of Swansea Castle, 1741
Drawing, rebuilding St. Mary's Church, Swansea, 1740
Engraving, first Duke of Beaufort, seventeenth century
Facsimiles of Beaufort FrogreM, pp. 285-296
350 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
Photo, and engraving of the tomb of Henry de Gower of Swansea
at St. David's
Drawings of silver and copper tokens issued in or for Swansea
Original certificate, Quartering of Soldiers at Swanzey, 1649
Sketch of tomb of Sir Mathie Cradok
Illustrations of the Cradock tomb
Photo., Ann of Swansea
Engraving, Swansea OasUe, 1740
Residence of Bishop Gore, Swansea
Lent by J. R. Francis, Esq.
Swansea in 1617 Jaliez Thomas, Esq., M.D.
Laughame Castle, Carmarthenshire, 1740. Buck
St. Donates Castle, Glamorganshire, 1740. Buck
Caerphilly Castle, Glamorganshire, 1740. Buck
Llanblythian Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Morlashe, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Church and Palace, Llandaff, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Caerdiffe, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Neath, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Neath Abbey, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Pennarth Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Penrice Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Oystermouth Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Swansea Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Webley Castle, Glamorganshire, 1741. Buck
Lent by C. Bath, Esq.
The large and valuable collection of the Royal Institution of
South Wales was also open to the inspection of Members.
351
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS.
VOL. HI. FIFTH SERIES.
Abekcar, inscribed stone, 93
Abergavenny Church, wooden
image in, 289
Accounts, statement of, 1885, 80
Swansea meeting, 34(5
Ambroth Church, 67
Annual meeting, report of, 321
Ardudwy, Deanery of, 109
Arthur's Stone, in Gower, 337
Banfi^r,Humphrey Lloyd, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 139
Robert Price, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 139
— Humphrey Humphreys,
S.T.P., Dean of, 331
EflBgy in the Cathedral
of, 52
Basin gwerk Abbey, 114
Battlefield Church, Salop, wooden
image in, 289
Battle Church, Brecon, 270
Beddgelert Priory, 119
Begelly Church, 68
Bere, John de la, of Webbely
Castle, 293
Berkeroull, Lawrence, Knt.,grant
by, 296
Bettws Gwerfyl Goch Charch,
wooden image in, 288
Bishopston Church, 345
Brecon, deanery of, 270
Brithwyr, y, 70
Bwlch Derwen, find of coins
near, 235
Bwlch y Forwyn, Pillar-stone, 71
Bloody Prodigy of Cheese, 282,
319
Caenog, 117
Caerphilly Castle, 161
Cairn in Park Le Breos, 344
Carew Castle, 27
Cam Goch Common, 343
Castle Martin Church, 62
Deanery of, 55
Cathedine Church, 275
Cheriton in Gower, 155
Chepstow Castle, 73
Clement, John, of Pennard, 293
Clynog Collegiate Church, 190
Coins, find of, near Bwlch Der-
wen, 235
— at Caerwent, 225
at Caerleon, 226
at Wentwood Mill, 227
Conwy, Plas Mawr, 238
Cosheston Church, 55
Crickhowell Church, 278
Cryniarth, Merionethshire, 257
Cymmer Abbey, ill
David ap Meuric Vychan
Nannau, 120
352
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS.
Davies, Walter (Qwaltep Me-
chain), letter from, 261
Defynoch Church, 278
Dinmore Preoeptorj Chapel, 317
Dolau Gwyn, 253
Dolben, John, Archbishop of
York, 140, 229
Edeimion, Deanery of, 109
Effigy in Bangor Cathedral, 52
Estimaner, Deanery of, 110
Ferrers, Lord, 145
Glendalough, inscribed stone, 46
Onoll, inscribed stones at, 338
Gomerydd, Y, 158
Gnmfreston Chnrch, 59
Gwenwynwyn's grant toYstrad
MarcheU Abbey, 118
Gydros, 117
Hodgeston Chnrch, 60
Holyhead Collegiate Church, 177
lenan ap Einion, Cywydd i, 257
Images, wooden, in churches, 282
Inscribed stones at GnoU, 838
Inscribed stone, the Gurmarc, 48
the Glendalough, 46
the Abercar, 93
Kemeys Inferior Church, wooden
iroage in, 282
Knights Hospitallers, 119
Lamphey Church, 56
Llanbadarn Fawr, Lay Abbot of,
206
Llanbedr Ystradwy Church, 279
Llandaff, Hugh Lloyd, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 141
Llandaff, Francis Davies, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 141
—William Lloyd, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 141
William Beaw, S.T.P.,
Ch.,
Bishop of, 141
Llanddew Church, 270
Llanfihangel-Abercorwyn
122
Llanfihangel Nant Bran Church,
271
Llangattock Church, 279
Llangenen Church, Brecon, 280
Llangorse Church, 276
Llanhamlech Church, 277
Llanraadoc Church, 155
Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant Colle-
giate Church, 195
Llanrhidian Church, 835
Llanthetty Church, 280
Llanvillo Church, 277
Llangennydd Church, 157
Llyfr Gwemeigron, 288
Madoc Hethgam, 117
Margam Abbey, 330
Merioneth, official seal of Arch-
deacon of, 110
Merthyr Cynojg Church, 272
Monmouth Bridge Gatehouse, 16
Castle, 17
Prioiy, 20
St. Mary's Chnrch, 22
St. Thomas* Church, 16,
41
Morgan's, Bishop, Welsh trans-
lation of the Bible, 286, 820
Nannau, Merionethshire, 258
Narberth, Deanery of, 67
Neath Abbey, 292, 338
Newport, St. Woollos* Church, 3
Newtown Old Church, Mont-
gomery shire, 320
Oystermouth Castle, 345
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS.
353
Penderin Church, 274
Penllyn, Deanery of, 109
Pen-y-crick Tumulus, 334
Penrice Castle, 337
Penson, Bich£u*d Kyrke, F.S.A.,
150
Perrot, Sir John, 29
Pillar-stone at Bwloh y Forwyn,
71
Raths, Pembrokeshire!, 97
Report for 1886, 327
Bhiwaedog, 253
Rhosili, 157
Rhys ap Griffith, Knt., of Pen-
rioe, 293
Rhys ap Thomas, Sir, 27
Roman pavement at Portskewett,
St. Asaph, Stratford Nicholas,
Dean of, 313
William Lloyd, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 141, 230, 232
Isaac Barrow, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 141
Henry Glenham, S.T.P.,
Bishop o^ 141
St. David's, William Thomas,
S.T.P., Bishop of, 142
William Lucy, S.T.P.,
Bishop of, 142
St. Florence Church, 57
Stackpole Elidyr Church, ^6
Stradling, Sir Edward, grant by,
to Neath Abbey, 292
' — Edward, grant to, 295
Sudbrook Camp, 81
Church, 87
Manor, 89
Swansea Castle, 302, 341
St. David's Hospital, 341
St. Mary's Church, 341
Talybont, deanery of^ 109
Tintem Abbey, 241
Tred/egar House, 100
Usk Cburch, 90
Valle Crucis Abbey, 119
Warren Church, 64
Welsh texts, old, 237
Wentworth Mill, find of coins
at, 227
Weobley Castle, 335
Williams of Dyffrin Clydach,
Neath, 315
Wynne of Leeswood, pedigree
of, 78
Ystrad Fellte Church, 274
Ystrad Marchell Abbey, 116
5th ser. vol. III.
•24
:jr)4
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Speed's Map of Mon month
Grkte-Honse, Monmoath Bridge
Walls of Room in Monmoath Castle
St. Mary's Church, Monmoath
** Geoffrey's Window", Monmoath Priory
Town Seal of Monmoath
Seal of the Chancery of Monmoutb
Plan of Carew Castle
The Gurmarc Stone, St. David's
Beyerse of Garmarc Stone
Inscribed Stone at Glendaloagh, Ireland
Effigy in Bangor Cathedral
Cosneston Chnrch
Sedilia, Hodgeston Church
Castle Martin Chnrch
Warren Chnrch
Usk Church, Monmoathshire — Soath-East View
Ditto ditto North-East View
Ditto ditto Elevation of North Arcade and
Details
Ditto ditto Plan and Details
The Abercar Stone .
Carved Powder-flask of Stag's Horn fonnd near Hay
Seal of Archdeacon of Merioneth
Llanfihangel Abercowyn Church and Plan
Ditto ditto Doorways in Tower
Ditto ditto Tombstones in Chnrch
yard
Bell in Llanmadoc Chnrch
Boundary Cross in Llanmadoc Churchyard
Ancient Altar Slab at Cheriton
Caerphilly Castle — Plan
Ditto General View
Hall of Caerphilly Castle
Plan of Tintern Abbey
Crucifix from Kemeys Inferior Church
Keep of Swansea Castle
Sepulchral Urn
Chapter House, Margam Abbey
Effigy of Abbot Adam de Kermerdin
Arthur's Stone, Cefn Bryn
Sculptured Stone found near Capel Colbren
Inscribed Stone at Cadoxton .
13
16
10
23
24
26
27
32
44
45
46
52
55
61
62
65
90
90
92
92
95
106
110
123
124
126
156
156
157
167
167
170
248
287
302
326
331
333
337
339
340
WetTIirO AMD CO., BABDIiriA. STRBBT, LIK0OLir*B IKK TIKLDf.
THIS iOOK IS DUE ON THf LAST OATI
STAMFID ftlLOW
RENIWIO BOOKS Aftf SUUECT TO MMEDIATE
RECAU
AUG U 1982fttC'B
UIRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
N2 460352
Archaeologla Canbretisls.
DA700
A6
1886
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